Rams coach Sean McVay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pose with the Vince Lombardi Trophy at a news conference Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Photo by Joey Vacca/Cronkite News)
Cooper Kupp, named MVP of Super Bowl LVI, takes questions from the media on Monday Feb. 14, 2022. (Photo by Joey Vacca/Cronkite News)
Rams coach Sean McVay speaks with the news media on Monday Feb. 14, 2022, the day after Los Angeles defeated Cincinnati, 23-20, in Super Bowl LVI. (Photo by Joey Vacca/Cronkite News)
Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pose with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Photo by Joey Vacca/Cronkite News)
LOS ANGELES – Coach Sean McVay and wide receiver Cooper Kupp were the linchpins to the Los Angeles Rams’ triumphant season, and it was only fitting they had the last words going into the offseason as NFL champions.
“Cooper epitomizes what’s right about it (the team), just the selflessness, the humility and clutch production we had to have is unbelievable,” McVay told reporters the morning after the Rams fought back to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20 – returning the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Los Angeles for the first time since 1984.
Kupp, who was named MVP of Super Bowl LVI, and McVay have been together since 2017, when the Rams hired McVay, then 33, as head coach. In his first draft, Los Angeles took Kupp in the third round, and since then, the Rams have won three divisional titles andare 7-3 in the playoffs. In the 13 years before they arrived, the Rams had zero divisional titles and zero playoff appearances.
“Something about being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself is what’s so special about this group, they are world champions and I love these guys,” McVay said.
Kupp’s accolades include the receiver’s “triple crown” for receptions, yards and touchdowns, which has not happened since the Panthers’ Steve Smith did it in 2005. Kupp was named AP Offensive Player of the Year and MVP of Super Bowl LVI, in which he caught the game winner.
“Don’t set boundaries on yourself, don’t set limitations on yourself … be inside-and-out thinking, know your worth and value, and let your passions shine,” Kupp said.
Earlier, he cited his wife, Anna, as his inspiration.
“For the sacrifices she’s made for so long, I think she deserves the world,” Kupp said.
When the couple attended Eastern Washington University, Anna Kupp supported them financially so he could focus on football. Fast forward to Monday, when she was by her husband’s side before he, McVay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the news media.
This was McVay’s second time on the big stage, his first coming in a loss in 2019 to the New England Patriots in which the Rams only put up three points.
For many Rams, including Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Odell Beckham Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Kupp and McVay, Sunday’s victory earned their first Super Bowl rings.
