In a bold proclamation that could only come from the audacity of youth, Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean believes he could outmaneuver WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark in a one-on-one basketball showdown. Yes, you read that right—a football player thinks he can best one of the most electrifying basketball talents on the planet.
During a recent chat with Yahoo! Sports, DeJean, who played alongside Clark at Iowa University, declared, “I think I can [beat Clark one-on-one]. She’d probably score a few buckets on me, but I think I could pull it off.” Ah, the confidence of a man whose career is built on tackling others while wearing a helmet and pads!
Clark, fresh off her WNBA Rookie of the Year title, was not one to let this challenge slide. In a classic display of wit, she shot back with a message that succinctly said she didn’t think DeJean stood a chance. “I’ll let her say that,” DeJean recounted to sportscaster Kay Adams, clearly still trying to wrap his head around the fact that a woman could possibly be better at her own sport.
DeJean’s bravado is, of course, backed by some impressive stats of his own—he racked up a staggering 1,832 points in high school basketball. But let’s be real: the only time he’s used a basketball for anything other than a prop might be when he was trying to impress his friends with his “athletic versatility.”
While the Eagles’ rookie is busy catching passes and dodging tackles on the gridiron, Clark is busy rewriting the history books, having become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. She’s out there sinking threes and putting defenders on skates, while DeJean is… well, still figuring out how to not trip over his own feet in a football game.
The banter has sparked some debate among fans, with many wondering whether DeJean’s claim is a lighthearted jab or if he genuinely believes he could hold his own against a player who has consistently dominated the court. Twitter is ablaze with commentary, ranging from “Cooper, buddy, stick to football!” to “Can we make this matchup happen, please?”
As the Eagles gear up for their next game, DeJean might want to focus on his defensive skills rather than practicing layups against a WNBA superstar. Meanwhile, Clark will undoubtedly be busy dunking on doubters, likely adding a few more highlights to her already dazzling career.
In the grand scheme of sports rivalry, this friendly challenge serves as a reminder: while athletes can shine in multiple disciplines, there’s a fine line between confidence and sheer delusion. So, let’s keep the court for the ballers and the field for the gridiron gladiators—unless, of course, we want to tune in for a highly entertaining mismatch that could be the stuff of sports legend.
Stay tuned, because who knows? This could lead to a charity game that would have all of America scratching their heads while simultaneously cheering for their favorites. If nothing else, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark won’t be backing down from a challenge, especially not from a guy whose biggest claim to fame is running faster than a cheetah with a football.
