Earl Cooper (American football)

Earl Cooper

No. 49, 89
Position:	Fullback / Tight end
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1957-09-17) September 17, 1957
Place of birth:	Giddings, Texas
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Lincoln High School
College:	Rice
NFL draft:	1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
San Francisco 49ers (1980–1985) Los Angeles Raiders (1986)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl Champion (XVI, XIX) 2× NFC Champion (1981, 1984)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 1,152 Rush attempts: 298 Rushing TDs: 6 Receptions: 213 Receiving yards: 1,908 Games played: 93 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Marion Earl Cooper (born September 17, 1957) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1st round (13th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 227-lb. fullback-tight end from Rice University, Cooper played in 7 NFL seasons from 1980 to 1986. During his rookie season for the 49ers in 1980, he finished second in the league in receptions with 83 (San Diego's Kellen Winslow had 89). He was a key contributor on the final 89-yard drive that led to the play that has been immortalized as "The Catch" in the 1982 NFC Playoffs versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Cooper also appeared in two Super Bowls for the 49ers, even catching an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana in Super Bowl XVI versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He ended his career with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1986. Cooper graduated from high school in Lexington, Texas. He is now a teacher and coach in Pflugerville, Texas.

External links

• St. Petersburg Times
• http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125154
• http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/features/superbowl/archives/16/