Dawn Staley Won’t Encounter Caitlin Clark as Not Even Iowa Roots Can Change Her Pick for the 2025 Super Bowl
Caitlin Clark has never been one to shy away from her love for the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether it’s rocking Chiefs gear or joining Taylor Swift in the VIP suite, the Indiana Fever rookie has made her NFL allegiance crystal clear. But with the Philadelphia Eagles also making it to the Super Bowl, one familiar name from Iowa had a few wondering if Clark might reconsider her pick.
That name? Cooper DeJean.
Clark and DeJean share a history from their time in Iowa City. They both played for the Hawkeyes in the NCAA before parting ways for their professional careers—Clark as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, and DeJean as the 44th overall pick in the NFL. So, with DeJean set to suit up for the Eagles on football’s biggest stage, would Clark be swayed by her Iowa roots? Not a chance.
“I always hope the best for people I know personally,” Clark said. “I hope Cooper has a great game, but you know it’s my Chiefs all day long.”
Indeed, Clark’s loyalty lies with Kansas City. But the case isn’t the same for Dawn Staley, who shares an equally strong passion for the NFL.
A die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, Staley has been repping her hometown team all season long—Eagles hoodies, visors, and green sweatpants included. And despite having a game against Texas on the same day, she’s not missing a second of the Super Bowl action. “Dawn Staley says she is going to the Super Bowl,” Lulu Kesin, South Carolina reporter for USA Today Sports shared.
Looks like we won’t see the two basketball icons on the side in New Orleans.
Staley’s passion for Philly isn’t actually being tested—she’s fully committed to the Eagles. If you were aiming for a contrast or conflict, it might be better framed around how the game itself could be historic due to Jake Elliott’s potential record.
Dawn Staley’s Philly pride stands strong
Staley’s commitment to South Carolina runs deep, but her passion for the Philadelphia Eagles is just as strong.
“I am,” Staley confirmed when asked if she’d be attending the game. When pressed about how she’d manage the schedule conflict, she joked, “That’s why you got assistant coaches and associate head coaches… somebody has to help me out, somebody has to [private jet] me.”
This isn’t the first time she’s pulled off such a balancing act. Even last year, when the Eagles faced the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, she was all in. That too when South Carolina had a top-three showdown against LSU on the same day. She found a way to make it work then, and she’s determined to do the same this time. Once again, she’s proving her Philly roots aren’t up for debate.
But this year’s Super Bowl could be even more special for Staley, as she might witness history on the field. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott has maintained a flawless postseason record, converting all 22 of his field goal attempts. This places him second only to Robbie Gould, who holds the record for 29 consecutive field goals without a miss.
If Elliott continues his accuracy, he could close in on—or even surpass—that record.
No matter the outcome of Super Bowl LIX, one thing is certain: these two basketball icons won’t be switching sides anytime soon.
