2/4/26
With the Super Bowl coming up, the Pacific Northwest has been anxiously waiting to see if the Seattle Seahawks will win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. In the big game, there are four players suiting up who attended high schools in Washington, two for each team. Below, we take a look at those players and how Washington continues to churn out high-level athletes.
Cooper Kupp
The Super Bowl LVI MVP with the Los Angeles Rams is a Washingtonian through and through. Kupp attended Davis (Yakima) High School and was a tremendous two-sport athlete. Kupp was a first-team all-state defensive back and an honorable mention at wide receiver, while helping lead the Pirates to the 4A State Championship in basketball in 2012. During that run, Kupp famously played against future NBA player Zach LaVine, who went to Bothell in the State Quarterfinals.
Kupp then went to Eastern Washington, where he set the FCS records in career receiving touchdowns (73) and receptions (428). Kupp holds the all-division record for most receiving yards in a career with 6,464. Kupp won numerous awards and was one of the best receivers at the FCS level ever. In the NFL, Kupp was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, where he played until last year, winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 and being named first-team All-Pro that same season. He helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI and was only the ninth wide receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP. Kupp returned home to Washington this year, signing with the Seahawks, and has been “Mr. Reliable” for quarterback Sam Darnold. Kupp is looking to be the seventh player to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs and the first non-quarterback to reach that mark.
Abraham Lucas
Like Kupp, Abe Lucas is a Washingtonian through and through. Lucas hasn’t left the state for his football career, starting in Everett at Archbishop Murphy. Lucas won the 2016 2A State Championship with the Wildcats, with fellow NFL player Kyler Gordon by his side. Lucas stayed in the state, heading to Pullman to suit up for Washington State, and in 2021 was named first-team All-Pac 12. Lucas was also drafted in the third round, but by his hometown team, the Seattle Seahawks. Lucas started right away in his rookie year at right tackle. Lucas signed a new contract with the Seahawks this year to keep him around long-term. Lucas has started every game this season on a great offensive line.
Efton Chism III
Efton Chism III will be lining up for the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He was only three months old when the Pats won their first Super Bowl in 2002. Chism III started his career in Monroe, playing for the Bearcats, and was a first-team all-state selection as an all-purpose player. Chism III was a four-sport athlete for Monroe, playing basketball, baseball, and competing in track and field during his time, all while being an honor student in the classroom. Chism III also went to Eastern Washington, where he was a two-time All-American, third-team his junior year, and first-team his senior year as a wide receiver. He was a two-time Big Sky first-team All-Conference selection. He sits right behind Kupp in many school records and set the FCS record for most consecutive games with a reception (53). This season, Chism III has seen limited time but had three straight games where he recorded a catch from week 17, where he caught his first touchdown pass against the New York Jets, through the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he had a 20-yard catch.
Jack Westover
Jack Westover is the fourth Washingtonian to line up in the Super Bowl, and this season also marks his first big game. Westover went to O’Dea and Mount Si High Schools, where he had lots of success, including a State Championship Game appearance with O’Dea in 2016. Westover stayed close to home, going to Washington, and worked his way into a starting role in the back half of his career. Westover helped lead Washington to the College Football Playoff Championship Game in the 2023 season, where he was a reliable target all year. Westover wasn’t drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, but signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in May of 2024, but was waived in August. Westover then signed with the New England Patriots practice squad and played in three games. This season, Westover switched from tight end to fullback and has played in every game this season, and has started twice during the playoffs. Westover is one of the rare players in this year’s Super Bowl who have been on the roster for both teams.
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