It was only fitting that after winning the Triple Crown and Offensive Player of the Year award that Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp was named the Super Bowl LVI MVP.
After Odell Beckham Jr. went down with a knee injury in the first half, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to key in on Kupp defensively and slow him down. However, with the Rams trailing in the fourth, Matthew Stafford turned to Kupp several times on their game-winning drive and the receiver delivered when it mattered most.
There are not many words left to describe how spectacular of a 2021 season Kupp had, making himself a Los Angeles legend in his own right. However, even during their Super Bowl parade in L.A., Kupp made sure to shout out Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant by calling him a part of their title run while wearing his jersey, via L.A. reporter Arash Markazi:
Cooper Kupp: "We're out here celebrating this championship. Kobe is a part of this. He belongs here. He set the standard. All I know, get back to work, let's run it back." pic.twitter.com/LmWIhRwiFi
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 16, 2022
Kupp sported the same Bryant jersey he wore prior to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, a fitting choice and a touching tribute to the Black Mamba. Bryant has served as a source of motivation and inspiration for players like Kupp and it is only right that he get some love during a celebration in L.A.
What endeared Bryant to the City of Angels was his constant pursuit of winning at the highest levels, and fortunately for the Rams, they are set up to succeed again in the 2022 season. For the Rams to get one Super Bowl is already a massive accomplishment, but it will be fun to watch them defend their title when the new season comes around.
