Caitlin Clark has never been one to hide her unwavering devotion to the Kansas City Chiefs. From donning Chiefs gear to rubbing elbows with Taylor Swift in a VIP suite, the Indiana Fever rookie has left no room for doubt about where her NFL loyalties lie. But with the Philadelphia Eagles punching their ticket to the Super Bowl, a familiar name from her Iowa past had some wondering—just for a second—if her allegiance might waver.
That name? Cooper DeJean.
For those unfamiliar, Clark and DeJean share more than just athletic prowess—they share roots. Both honed their craft in Iowa City, carving out legacies as Hawkeyes before setting off on their respective professional journeys. Clark skyrocketed to WNBA superstardom as the No. 1 overall pick, while DeJean fought his way into the NFL as the 44th selection. Now, as DeJean prepares to take the biggest stage in football, the question lingers: Would Caitlin Clark feel the pull of Iowa pride? Would she momentarily set aside her red and gold for a midnight green detour?
Not a chance.
“I always hope the best for people I know personally,” Clark said, her words polite but unwavering. “I hope Cooper has a great game, but you know it’s my Chiefs all day long.”
And just like that, any hope of a divided allegiance was snuffed out. Clark is Kansas City through and through.
Dawn Staley: Philly’s Most Devoted Fan Is Not Missing This Super Bowl
But while Clark’s loyalty is firmly planted in Chiefs Kingdom, another basketball icon is preparing for an entirely different emotional rollercoaster. Enter Dawn Staley, a woman whose love for the Philadelphia Eagles runs so deep, she might as well have green in her veins.
Staley, a South Carolina coaching legend, has been a die-hard Eagles fan for as long as she’s been dominating the basketball world. Hoodies, visors, sweatpants—you name it, she’s worn it, all in Eagles green. And while some might assume her coaching responsibilities would take priority over the big game, they clearly don’t know Staley.
“Dawn Staley says she is going to the Super Bowl,” USA Today Sports reporter Lulu Kesin revealed, confirming what many already suspected.
Her schedule for Super Bowl Sunday? A South Carolina showdown against Texas. But that won’t stop her. When asked how she’d juggle the two, Staley didn’t hesitate.
“That’s why you got assistant coaches and associate head coaches… somebody has to help me out, somebody has to [private jet] me,” she joked.
And this isn’t her first rodeo. Just last year, when the Eagles squared off against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Staley found a way to make it work—despite South Carolina having a massive top-three battle against LSU on the same day. If she could pull that off, this year’s challenge seems like a mere formality.
Super Bowl LIX: A Game With Historic Implications
Beyond Clark and Staley’s steadfast loyalties, this Super Bowl carries major historical significance. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is on the cusp of making history, entering the game with a perfect postseason record—22 straight field goals without a miss. If he continues his streak, he could challenge or even surpass the legendary Robbie Gould’s all-time record of 29 consecutive postseason field goals.
So while Clark and Staley won’t be swapping sides anytime soon, one thing is for sure: Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be an unforgettable showdown. Will the Chiefs continue their dynasty, or will the Eagles fly high on the biggest stage?
No matter the outcome, one thing remains certain—Caitlin Clark will be draped in red, and Dawn Staley will be rocking green. And when the dust settles, only one will walk away celebrating.
