Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and Seahawks wideout Cooper Kupp’s humbling postgame exchange: “Go win it, you deserve it”

Cooper Kupp was a Los Angeles Rams legend and franchise icon before joining the Seattle Seahawks this season. He won Super Bowl LVI for them in 2022 defeating the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2023, Puka Nacua emerged. With Kupp’s guidance for two seasons, Nacua excelled in his position.The trio [Matthew Stafford, Nacua, and Kupp] was famous for their early-morning breakfasts, watching game tape, and discussing football, life, and more.Nacua always considered Kupp his mentor. However, 2025 broke up the trio. As fate would have it, they faced each other three times that season. The mentor defeated the student. In an NFC Championship game. What followed was a humbling postgame conversation.Kupp: I love you, Puka. You’re freaking unbelievable, man. Puka: I love you, dog. Go win it.Kupp: Yeah, we’ll do our best, brother. Love you, man. Cheering for you. Rooting for you.Puka: There wouldn’t be no other way, man. One hundred percent. Love you.Kupp: I love you, man.Puka: Blessed to be around you. Go win it, man. You deserve it, Coop. I love you so much, brother.Kupp: Thank you.MLFootball shared star wide receivers’ conversation on X with caption: “HEARTWARMING: Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were mic’d up for their emotional hug after the NFC championship game. Kupp and Nacua were teammates and Cooper was his mentor. They have become very close friends.” How did cybercitizens react to this heart-melting exchange? “Two dudes who love playing football. These guys are what every football coach should look for when trying to recruit or develop receivers,” one X user quickly commented. Another found it too emotional: “Pass the Kleenex.” A third user wrote, “Classy stuff there [thumbs up emoji].” When a user commented, “That’s way too many love yous,” another quickly replied, “Shows that the NFL is more than a sport and that these guys are trying their best. I get that they mess up but most players support each other, but we should be nicer online to them.” A third user complimented the two-time Pro Bowler, commenting, “Nacua went from Kupp to Adams as mentors. He has the potential and has attained the knowledge to be special. Already headed in the right direction.” A fourth user chimed in, "That's what it's all about!! SPORTSMANSHIP." A fifth user wrote, "Nothing beat friends you make playing sports."“I heard the voice of Cooper Kupp before I even saw the person of Cooper Kupp,” Nacua told ESPN’s Sarah Bishop. “I was like, I feel like this is our other coach. I just don’t know what he looks like.” Earlier, Nacua’s mentor was Kupp; now it is Davante Adams. The 24-year-old BYU alumnus said in June 2025 that Adams’ knowledge is something different from what they’re used to, “having somebody like ‘Coop’ in the system for a long time.” Nacua’s [former] mentor is now headed for the Super Bowl [second chance]. Seattle will face the New England Patriots on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Now we know who the Los Angeles star wide receiver is rooting for...