Chris Cooley will not attend Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, where he is to be honored as one of the greatest players in Washington franchise history.
Washington fans voted for the next 10 greatest players in franchise history, bringing the total to now 90 Greatest Players aligning with 90 years ago (1932) the start of the NFL franchise as the then Boston Braves.
But Cooley (2004-2012) who was most often cheered when catching passes with a loud resounding “Cooooo” short for Cooley, declared Wednesday on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast he will not attend.
Here is the brief exchange.
KS: “When they hold this ceremony to announce the next 10 for the 90 greatest, you are not going to be there for it?”
CC: “No.”
KS: “Why?”
CC: “I don’t want to.”
KS: “Okay, should I not ask anymore?”
CC: “I am very appreciative of being voted in, and I am very appreciative of my time while I was there with the Washington Redskins. At this point, I don’t have a lot of desire to be involved with the Washington Commanders. It’s not the team name that does it. ”
KS: “And you are very appreciative of all the fans that voted for you.”
CC: Yes, very appreciative. And I feel for all of the fans for where there are, and I still appreciate the people that are still fans, that are still diehards. Because you know very well, as much as me, even at times maybe you almost find yourself rooting against them?”
CC: “…There is no other team. My only interest is still Washington. I just don’t know (begins laughing) where my interest is, if it’s win or lose.”
Sheehan transitioned to discussing that during the Chicago game, two fans were shown on camera to have bags on over their faces, with the writing “Sell the team.” The numbered jersey they were both wearing was No. 47, Cooley’s old jersey. Cooley, laughing, joked, “It was me. It was me and my buddy, Trevor.”
The newly elected players including Cooley are.
- DE Ryan Kerrigan (2011-2020)
- LT Trent Williams (2010-2019)
- WR Santana Moss (2005-2014)
- TE Chris Cooley (2004-2012)
- DT Darryl Grant (1981-1990)
- LB London Fletcher (2007-2013)
- CB DeAngelo Hall (2008-2017)
- CB Champ Bailey (1999-2003)
- DC Larry Peccatiello (1981-1993)
- RB Stephen Davis (1996-2002)
“This season is all about connecting our storied past and the 90 years that brought us where we are today to this new chapter as the Washington Commanders,” said team president Jason Wright.
The new additions to our 𝟗𝟎 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭
pic.twitter.com/hFhl8vODP5
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 1, 2022