Eagles' Cooper DeJean Didn't Realize Significance of Mahomes Pick-6 in Super Bowl

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean's pick-six of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands as the most pivotal play en route to the Birds' 40-22 win in Super Bowl LIX.

In a recent interview on The Pivot Podcast, DeJean recalled his emotions at the moment, noting he didn't really understand how big the moment was as it happened.

"I was trying to catch my breath," DeJean said. "I had all this excitement and adrenaline. It's already the Super Bowl, so you've already got all that energy built up. I was trying to catch my breath. I don't know if I really realized how big of a moment it was at that time."

It's certainly understandable for the 22-year-old rookie, who was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded cornerback on the season, to feel that way. He made the Super Bowl in his first season, and this game had added significance with the Chiefs going for the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat in NFL history. Plus, Philadelphia was looking for revenge after falling to Kansas City two years earlier in the Super Bowl

There was certainly a lot to take in for any player, let alone a rookie. But DeJean was tremendous.

Kansas City got off to a sluggish start but found itself hanging around down 10-0 midway through the second quarter. DeJean took advantage of an errant Mahomes pass, though, snagging it at the Chiefs' 38-yard line and returning it for a touchdown to give his team a 16-0 lead.

Philadelphia led 34-0 before some garbage-time touchdowns made the game closer, but DeJean's play stands as the key turning point in the game.