HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2022-4662

HR 4662

ByRepresentatives Ybarra, Dufault, Corry, Valdez, Volz, J. Johnson, Orwall, Walen, Boehnke, Goehner, Schmick, Abbarno, Callan, Dye, Chambers, McCaslin, Jacobsen, Riccelli, Dent, Chase, Orcutt, Robertson, Simmons, Klicker, Chandler, Hoff, Kraft, and Morgan

WHEREAS, Cooper Douglas Kupp was born in Yakima, Washington on June 15, 1993, to Craig and Karin Kupp; and

WHEREAS, Cooper graduated from A.C. Davis High School in Yakima in 2012, where he earned first-team All-Columbia Basin Big Nine League wide receiver and defensive back honors for himself and the Davis Pirates football program; and

WHEREAS, Cooper went on to attend Eastern Washington University (EWU) where he played football for the EWU Eagles under the coaching of Beau Baldwin from 2012 to 2016, and was the first freshman wide receiver to be named first-team All-American since 1996 - going on to win that award for a second time in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Cooper was named first-team Big Sky Conference wide receiver, holding that title for three consecutive years, breaking league records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and going on to win the Walter Payton Award; and

WHEREAS, The Los Angeles Rams drafted Cooper Kupp in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, becoming the second highest pick in EWU history; and

WHEREAS, Cooper had a breakout rookie year and was named to the 2017 All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA); and

WHEREAS, Cooper suffered an injury during the 2018 season and missed the chance to play in Super Bowl LIII with his team; and

WHEREAS, Cooper ignored the skeptics and worked hard to overcome his injury, returning to football in 2019 to finish the season with well over 1,000 receiving yards, catching 10 touchdowns, including a stretch where he caught a touchdown in five consecutive games; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, Cooper broke the record for most receiving yards in a single season, including postseason, with 2,425 yards and was voted the NFL Offensive Player of the Year for, among other things, being the first player since 2005 to lead the league in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards (the "triple crown"); and

WHEREAS, Cooper was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl LVI after a 92-yard, two touchdown effort including the game winning touchdown catch in the game versus the Cincinnati Bengals; and

WHEREAS, Cooper's athletic accomplishments have inspired Washingtonians across the state, including the men, women, and children in his hometown of Yakima, Davis High School, and the EWU Eagles football programs; and

WHEREAS, Cooper continues to humbly serve others by helping young athletes and supporting several local charities – attributing his success to God, faith, and family – which includes his beloved wife Anna and their two sons, Cooper Jameson Kupp and Cypress Stellar Kupp;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, on behalf of the people, recognize and honor the life and profession of Cooper Douglas Kupp, a native Washingtonian and National Football League wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Cooper Kupp and his family.