Cooper DeJean Grins While Talking Nikki Garcia's 'Crazy' WWE Shoutout amid Dating Rumors — 'Didn't Really Expect' It (Exclusive)
- - Cooper DeJean Grins While Talking Nikki Garcia's 'Crazy' WWE Shoutout amid Dating Rumors — 'Didn't Really Expect' It (Exclusive)
Michael NiedFebruary 5, 2026 at 4:39 AM
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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean addressed some romance rumors linking him to wrestler Nikki Garcia while speaking with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Feb. 4
The duo first sparked whispers in December, and fans chanted his name at Garcia when she appeared at an event this week
Asked about her response, DeJean said it was "crazy" and unexpected while blushing
Cooper DeJean broke out in a grin when asked about a very unexpected shout-out that he recently received at a WWE event amid romance rumors with Nikki Garcia.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the 42-year-old Hall of Fame wrestler hopped in the ring at Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena alongside her sister, Brie Garcia. They were greeted by the audience breaking out into a chant of "Coop," seemingly in reference to DeJean, whom Nikki was romantically linked to in December 2025.
Nikki thought that the chant sounded like the audience booing them, but Brie was quick to clarify that they were shouting the 22-year-old cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles' name.
Bria and Nikki Garcia, from left
Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty
"Can you blame a girl for having good taste? I mean, Pro Bowl, baby," Nikki coyly replied in a video that went viral on X.
DeJean seemed surprised by the big moment when he caught up with PEOPLE’s Janine Rubenstein in San Francisco at the SiriusXM set at Media Row.
"It was crazy to kind of see that," he admits while blushing through a grin. "I don't know. i didn't really expect that. Obviously it was in Philly, so..."
The star player, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last year by winning the 2025 Super Bowl with the Eagles, adds that he "definitely did not expect to see that and go on Twitter and see that the next day."
Nikki and DeJean first got people talking about a potential romance when the former shared a roundup of a trip to Philadelphia on Instagram. The football star made a cameo.
A few days after the post went viral, Nikki appeared to shut down the rumors during the Dec. 18, 2025 episode of her podcast The Nikki & Brie Show.
Cooper DeJean
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty
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"I haven't even kissed someone in so long. It's, like, kind of crazy. I was thinking of this last night. Do I know how to kiss?" she told her sister at the time, seemingly making it clear that nothing romantic was going on.
While speaking to PEOPLE, DeJean also opened up about Optimum Nutrition, a sports nutrition brand that he is partnered with.
"We got the 40-gram protein shake right here," he says, describing it as "good for on the go post-workout whenever you may need it."
He describes it as something he's been using to "keep my body ready to go each and every week."
That'll mean even more when training starts up again for the 2026 NFL season.
"I'm chilling right now," he admits, though training is starting up again soon. In the meantime, DeJean is "trying to get better. Yeah. As much as I can get my body back ready to go."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
