- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,325
- Reaction score
- 59
You'd think, given the rivalry between the new reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, that a prominent player from either team would never be openly happy for the accomplishments of someone on the opposition.
If you'd think this, though, you probably haven't considered the bond two NFL teammates can have, especially when they play the same position, and when mentorship is involved. Competitive rivalry is just that: competition. It doesn't mean you can't be happy for your friends outside the lines. Both concepts can and often are distinctive.
Rams superstar and 2025 First-Team All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua was an embodiment of this mentality after the Seahawks dominated Super Bowl 60. He sent a quick post on X celebrating Cooper Kupp's second career Super Bowl win, who was a Rams teammate of Nacua's from 2023 to 2024. Yes, even though Kupp's second championship came at the expense of Nacua's Rams in an epic NFC title game last month, and even though the Seahawks and Rams are supposed to be division rivals. That's interesting.
But it's not surprising. Kupp was effectively a mentor and close friend of Nacua's for a couple of seasons. He was undoubtedly instrumental in Nacua eventually becoming one of the NFL's top playmakers. Of course Nacua will be elated to see Kupp reach pro football's highest summit again.
How could he not be?
Let this be a reminder to all of us football fans who (understandably, still) prioritize our favorite teams' rivalries almost more than anything else associated with this game. The players don't necessarily feel the same way. And even if they do feel that way sometimes, it's still not a thought process that's ever-present.
They have different priorities, like watching their ex-teammates thrive, no matter the circumstances.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Puka Nacua was happy for Cooper Kupp's Super Bowl win on rival Seahawks
Continue reading...
If you'd think this, though, you probably haven't considered the bond two NFL teammates can have, especially when they play the same position, and when mentorship is involved. Competitive rivalry is just that: competition. It doesn't mean you can't be happy for your friends outside the lines. Both concepts can and often are distinctive.
Rams superstar and 2025 First-Team All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua was an embodiment of this mentality after the Seahawks dominated Super Bowl 60. He sent a quick post on X celebrating Cooper Kupp's second career Super Bowl win, who was a Rams teammate of Nacua's from 2023 to 2024. Yes, even though Kupp's second championship came at the expense of Nacua's Rams in an epic NFC title game last month, and even though the Seahawks and Rams are supposed to be division rivals. That's interesting.
But it's not surprising. Kupp was effectively a mentor and close friend of Nacua's for a couple of seasons. He was undoubtedly instrumental in Nacua eventually becoming one of the NFL's top playmakers. Of course Nacua will be elated to see Kupp reach pro football's highest summit again.
How could he not be?
Let this be a reminder to all of us football fans who (understandably, still) prioritize our favorite teams' rivalries almost more than anything else associated with this game. The players don't necessarily feel the same way. And even if they do feel that way sometimes, it's still not a thought process that's ever-present.
They have different priorities, like watching their ex-teammates thrive, no matter the circumstances.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Puka Nacua was happy for Cooper Kupp's Super Bowl win on rival Seahawks
Continue reading...
