Jarrod Cooper
Number40
PositionSafety
Birth dateMarch 31, 1978 (age 48)
Birth placeAkron, Ohio, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lbs215
High schoolPearland
CollegeKansas State
Draftyear2001
Draftround5
Draftpick143
Pastteams
Highlights
Statlabel 1Total tackles
Statvalue 1134
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statvalue 21.5
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statvalue 32
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statvalue 44
Statlabel 5Pass deflections
Statvalue 53
Statlabel 6Defensive touchdowns
Statvalue 61
PfrCoopJa20

Jarrod Alexander Cooper (born March 31, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a safety with the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and was selected by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft.

Early life

Cooper played football and ran track and field for Pearland High School in Texas. He was an All-state selection in football as a senior and was a four-year letterman in track and field, excelling in the long jump, triple jump, and the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles.

College career

Cooper played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats where he was an All-Big 12 selection all four years. He was elected team captain as a junior and senior. After leaving Kansas State, he ranked 11th in school history in tackles.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Cooper was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 2001 NFL draft and played in Super Bowl XXXVIII.[1]

Oakland Raiders

Cooper joined the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2004, after being claimed off waivers. In 2005, he won the Ed Block Courage Award chosen by his teammates. He was also a team captain for the 2006 season.

Cooper was released by the Raiders prior to the 2007 season after failing a league mandated drug test. He was re-signed not long after he served his suspension, but was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 17 with a torn ACL.

He was later released on August 25, 2008, and did not play during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Cooper has since revealed that head injuries (causing recurrent, debilitating migraines) and an uncertain medical prognosis were reasons for his "abrupt" retirement from the Oakland Raiders.[2]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGPCOMBTOTALASTSACKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNGTDPD
2001CAR16272520.0000000000
2002CAR68710.0000000000
2003CAR127700.0000000000
2004CAR62110.0000000000
2004OAK9161601.0000000001
2005OAK165440140.5220000002
2006OAK16121110.0000000000
2007OAK65410.0010000000
Career87131111201.5230000003

[3]

Personal life

In 2007 Cooper began volunteering at the Oakland Animal Shelter in Oakland California. He quickly became an integral part of the shelter's team of staff and volunteers, often spending hours walking the dogs, cleaning kennels, and performing various improvement tasks around the shelter. Eventually he donated funds for the construction of outdoor exercise runs for the dogs named "the Coop" He subsequently cofounded Help Code 597, a non-profit dedicated to helping the animals of Oakland. As of 2011, Cooper continued as a regular volunteer at the shelter.[4]

References

  1. ^ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  2. ^ Cooper, Jarrod. Jarrod Cooper: My Fight with Head Injuries and My Decision To Retire. Bleacher Report. February 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-2-18.
  3. ^ "Jarrod Cooper Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. ^ Jones, Carolyn. Oakland: Neighbors honored for taping dog beating. San Francisco Chronicle. February 18, 2011.