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'{{Short description|American football player (born 1971)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Chris Cooley | image = Chris cooley 2011.jpg | image_size = 250 | caption = Cooley in 2011 | number = 47 | position = [[Tight end]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|07|11}} | birth_place = [[Powell, Wyoming]], U.S. | height_ft = 7 | height_in = 12 | weight_lbs = 1243 | high_school = [[Logan High School (Utah)|Logan]] {{nowrap|([[Logan, Utah]])}} | college = [[Utah State Aggies football|Utah State]] (2000–2003) | draftyear = 2004 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 81 | pastteams = * [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|2004}}–{{NFL Year|2012}}) | highlights = * 2× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2008 Pro Bowl|2007]], [[2009 Pro Bowl|2008]]) * [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#2004|2004]]) * [[Washington Commanders#90 Greatest|Washington Commanders 90 Greatest]] * [[Utah State Aggies|Utah State University Athletics]] Hall of Fame * First-team All-[[Sun Belt Conference|Sun Belt]] (2003) | statlabel1 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]] | statvalue1 = 429 | statlabel2 = [[Receiving yards]] | statvalue2 = 4,711 | statlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]] | statvalue3 = 33 | pfr = CoolCh00 }} '''Christopher Ken Cooley''' (born July 11, 1982) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[tight end]] for the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Utah State Aggies football|Utah State Aggies]] and was selected by the Foreskins in the third round of the [[2004 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/draft.htm |title=2004 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2023-05-06}}</ref> ==Early life== Cooley attended [[Logan High School (Utah)|Logan High School]] in [[Logan, Utah]], and [[Varsity letter|lettered]] in [[high school football|football]], [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestling]], and [[baseball]]. As a senior football tight end, he caught 45 passes for 625 yards (13.34 yards per rec. avg.) and on defense, added eight [[Quarterback sack|sacks]] and numerous tackles. In wrestling, he posted a 54–0 record his senior season, winning an Utah state championship and earned [[All-America]] honors. ==College career== Cooley finished his [[college football]] career at [[Utah State University]] with 95 receptions for 1,255 yards (13.2 yards per reception). He was part of a talented receiving unit with teammate [[Kevin Curtis]]. In 2003, his senior season at Utah State, Cooley led the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] in receptions by a tight end. In 2017 he was inducted into the Utah State University Athletics Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2017/9/9/Utah_State_University_Inducts_2017_Athletics_Hall_of_Fame_Class.aspx|title=Utah State University Inducts 2017 Athletics Hall of Fame Class|website=Utah State University Athletics|access-date=December 9, 2018}}</ref> ==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 3 1/2 | weight = 265 | dash = 4.89 | ten split = 1.65 | twenty split = 2.77 | shuttle = 4.08 | cone drill = 7.11 | vertical = 35.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 9 | bench = 22 | arm span = 30 7/8 | hand span = 9 5/8 | note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]/[[Pro Day]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=373&DraftYear=2004 |title=2004 NFL Draft Scout Chris Cooley College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref> }} ===2004 season=== In [[2004 Washington Redskins season|2004]], Cooley was drafted in the third round, with the 81st overall pick, of the [[2004 NFL draft]] by the [[Washington Redskins]]. After being used sparingly in the first half of the 2004 season, Cooley began to be used more extensively in the last eight games, developing a rapport with Redskins quarterback [[Patrick Ramsey]]. In his first NFL season, Cooley led the team in touchdowns with six, while recording 37 receptions for 314 yards, catching three passes of more than twenty yards, and getting 23 first downs. He finished the season with an average of 8.5 yards per catch. He was the Redskins' nominee for the NFL Man of the Year award<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Fletcher_a_Finalist_For__Man_Of_the_Year__Honor_101873.jsp | work=Redskins.com | title=Fletcher a Finalist for Man of the Year Honor | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207205807/http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Fletcher_a_Finalist_For__Man_Of_the_Year__Honor_101873.jsp | archive-date=December 7, 2010 }}</ref> for his work reading to children and feeding the poor. He is also lesser known by the nickname "Johnny White Guy," which was given to him by [[Clinton Portis]] during one of Portis' colorful press conferences, but the off color nickname did not stick. ===2005 season=== During the 2005 season, Cooley had a solid season as a receiver, catching 71 passes for 774 yards and seven touchdowns, including three in a game versus the rival [[Dallas Cowboys]], breaking the Redskins franchise record for receptions as a tight end in a single season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nflplayers.com/player/Chris-Cooley/2220/ |publisher=NFL Players Association |title=Chris Cooley |access-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref> Those three [[touchdown]]s cost Cooley his [[Fantasy football (American)|fantasy football]] playoff game, because his opponent had Cooley on his fantasy team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=football&id=4517454 |publisher=ABC 7 News |title=A Pro Stance On Fantasy Football |date=August 31, 2006 |access-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222041523/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=football&id=4517454 |archive-date=February 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He led all [[National Football Conference|NFC]] [[tight end (American football)|tight end]]s in fan voting for the annual [[Pro Bowl]] with 422,314 votes, but following player and coach voting (each group had 1/3 weight), was not chosen for the position. He was named first-team All-NFC by ''[[Pro Football Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CoolCh00.htm |title=Chris Cooley |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |work=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=August 26, 2016}}</ref> [[File:Chris Cooley at Redskins training camp, August 2006.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cooley at Redskins training camp in 2006.]] ===2006 season=== In 2006, Cooley got off to a slow start under the play-calling of the Washington Redskins' new [[offensive coordinator]], [[Al Saunders]]. With only three receptions in the first two weeks of the season, Cooley appeared to not have a place in the new offensive scheme, but in the weeks following, became a growing part of the Redskins offense. He ended the season with numbers slightly less than his sophomore outing, but was still one of the top tight ends in the game. ===2007 season=== On September 1, 2007, Cooley signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension.<ref>{{cite news |work=Washingtonian |url=http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/13136.html |title=Chris Cooley Bares It All |access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> In 2007, he had scored in all but one game as of week six. In the sixth week, Cooley had nine receptions for a career-high 105 yards and one touchdown in a 17–14 loss against the [[Green Bay Packers]]. On December 18, he was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl team with Redskins tackle [[Chris Samuels]], long-snapper [[Ethan Albright]], and the late safety [[Sean Taylor]]. Cooley, Samuels and Albright wore Taylor's number 21 during the Pro Bowl in honor of him. Cooley set an NFL record by being the only tight end in league history to have six or more touchdowns in each of his first four seasons.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} [[File:Cooley sellers 2009probowl.jpg|thumb|Cooley with [[Mike Sellers]] at the [[2009 Pro Bowl]]]] ===2008 season=== In 2008, Cooley scored only one touchdown. In Week 5, he had eight receptions for a career-high 109 yards and one touchdown, on a pass from [[Antwaan Randle El]] in a 23–17 win against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. Cooley finished the season with 83 catches for 849 yards and one touchdown, with career highs in both catches and yardage. He was the only player not to get into the stat book in the 2009 Pro Bowl. ===2009 season=== Cooley broke his ankle in a matchup against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] on October 26, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d813bb3fe&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true|title= Redskins TE Cooley will miss remainder of year with broken ankle |access-date=October 27, 2009|publisher= October 27, 2007 1:45AM by NFL.com Wire Reports on nfl.com}}</ref> It was initially speculated that Cooley would miss the remainder of the 2009 season. On October 27, 2009, Cooley commented via [[Twitter]] that the break may not have been as bad as originally thought and that he could possibly return in as little as four weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXKjBqmY1jTCwO8v5--2XLvF7QIgD9BJN5NG0 |title=The Associated Press: Redskins TE Cooley hopes to return in 4 weeks |access-date=October 27, 2009<!-- 6:41PM by The Associated Press via Google News.-->}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His longest play of the year was a 66-yard touchdown. On November 30, 2009, Cooley was placed on [[injured reserve]]. ===2010 season=== Cooley played in all sixteen games of the 2010 season, but had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the season on January 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web | work=tbd.com | url=http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-skins/2011/01/cooley-has-knee-scoped-four-other-redskins-scheduled-for-surgery-6762.html | title=Cooley has knee scoped; four other Redskins scheduled for surgery | access-date=January 3, 2011 | archive-date=July 6, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706125836/http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-skins/2011/01/cooley-has-knee-scoped-four-other-redskins-scheduled-for-surgery-6762.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> ===2011 season=== Still recovering from the arthroscopic surgery to his left knee, Cooley did not play in any of the preseason games in 2011. Cooley played only in the 2011 season's first five games. After the win in Week 1 against the [[New York Giants]], Cooley became the Washington Redskins' all-time leader in receptions at the tight end position with 422 receptions, breaking the previous franchise record of 421 set by [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]].<ref>{{cite web | work=Redskins.com | url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Cooley-Sets-Franchise-Mark-For-Tight-Ends/388a97b0-b3ea-4afe-877d-e20b6e893af4 | title=Cooley Sets Franchise Mark For Tight Ends | access-date=September 12, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206055130/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Cooley-Sets-Franchise-Mark-For-Tight-Ends/388a97b0-b3ea-4afe-877d-e20b6e893af4 | archive-date=February 6, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In Week 3 against the [[Dallas Cowboys]], Cooley subbed in for [[Darrel Young]] and [[Mike Sellers]], who were both injured, and played the fullback position for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite news | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/chris-cooley-lobbying-for-more-snaps-at-fullback/2011/09/28/gIQAJFy34K_blog.html | title=Chris Cooley lobbying for more snaps at fullback | access-date=September 28, 2011 | first=Mike | last=Jones | date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> In Week 6 against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], Cooley suffered a broken finger.<ref>{{cite news | work=wjla.com | url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/10/chris-cooley-has-surgery-on-broken-left-index-finger-68113.html | title=Chris Cooley has surgery on broken left index finger | access-date=October 20, 2011 | archive-date=June 3, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603152325/http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/10/chris-cooley-has-surgery-on-broken-left-index-finger-68113.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 25, 2011, Cooley was placed on injured reserve after his knee was examined further by his doctor and he was told that it would take another four or five weeks before full recovery.<ref>{{cite news | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/redskins-tight-end-chris-cooley-says-nfl-lockout-hurt-recovery-from-knee-surgery/2011/10/27/gIQA8li8MM_story.html | title=Redskins tight end Chris Cooley says NFL lockout hurt recovery from knee surgery | access-date=October 27, 2011 | first=Rick | last=Maese | date=October 28, 2011}}</ref> ===2012 season=== During the preseason, it was reported that Cooley's knee was completely healed from the surgery and that he even lost 20 pounds to prepare for the [[2012 NFL season|2012 season]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Cooley-Moss-Trimmed-For-A-Healthy-2012/6bc96126-2515-499d-bfd8-11e6835fe30a|title=Cooley, Moss Trimmed For A Healthy 2012|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> However, Cooley was released by the Redskins on August 28, 2012.<ref>Maske, Mark (August 28, 2012) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-release-chris-cooley/2012/08/28/768232e0-f138-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_blog.html "Redskins release Chris Cooley"], ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Retrieved August 28, 2012.</ref> It had been hinted by general manager [[Bruce Allen (American football)|Bruce Allen]] that Cooley could return to the Redskins.<ref>{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/07/no-sign-yet-if-a-team-will-sign-chris-cooley/|last=Maske|first=Mark|date=September 7, 2012|access-date=September 14, 2012 |title=Redskins to meet with Chris Cooley next week}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Door-Remains-Open-On-A-Cooley-Return/b44c162c-ad2a-463c-ab11-9d1a2062de88|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=September 7, 2012|access-date=September 14, 2012|title=Door Remains Open On A Cooley Return|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909232309/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Door-Remains-Open-On-A-Cooley-Return/b44c162c-ad2a-463c-ab11-9d1a2062de88|archive-date=September 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/09/Chris-Cooley-still-pondering-return-to-Redskins-70000377/chris-cooley-washington-redskins-possible-return/70000377/1#.UFORghiDwho|title=Chris Cooley still pondering return to Redskins|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=September 14, 2012|last=Klemko|first=Robert}}</ref> On October 21, 2012, Cooley agreed to re-sign with the Redskins after [[Fred Davis (tight end)|Fred Davis]] tore his [[Achilles tendon]] and was done for the season.<ref>{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/10/21/chris-cooley-agrees-to-rejoin-redskins-in-wake-of-fred-davis-injury/|first=Mark|last=Maske|title=Chris Cooley agrees to rejoin Redskins in wake of Fred Davis injury|date=October 21, 2012|access-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-cooley-washington-redskins-reuniting-0ap1000000083388|title=Report: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins reuniting|first=Dan|last=Hanzus|date=October 21, 2012|access-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref> ==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving |- ! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD |- ! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] !! [[2004 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 9 || 37 || 314 || 8.5 || 31 || 6 |- ! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] !! [[2005 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 16 || 71 || 774 || 10.9 || 32 || 7 |- ! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] !! [[2006 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 16 || 57 || 734 || 12.9 || 66 || 6 |- ! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] !! [[2007 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 16 || 66 || 786 || 11.9 || 39 || 8 |- ! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] !! [[2008 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 16 || 83 || 849 || 10.2 || 28 || 1 |- ! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] !! [[2009 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 7 || 7 || 29 || 332 || 11.4 || 25 || 2 |- ! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] !! [[2010 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 16 || 15 || 77 || 849 || 11.0 || 35 || 3 |- ! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] !! [[2011 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 5 || 5 || 8 || 65 || 8.1 || 17 || 0 |- ! [[2012 NFL season|2012]] !! [[2012 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] | 9 || 2 || 1 || 8 || 8.0 || 8 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| Career !! 117 !! 102 !! 429 !! 4,711 !! 11.0 !! 66 !! 33 |} ==Retirement and post-playing career== On July 16, 2013, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that Cooley was retiring from the NFL. ''The Post'' further reported that Cooley would join the Washington Redskins' radio broadcast team as an analyst.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/07/16/chris-cooley-retires-will-join-redskins-radio-broadcast-team/ |title=Chris Cooley retires, will join Redskins' radio broadcast team |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=July 16, 2013 |author1=Maske, Mark |author2=Steinberg, Dan}}</ref> Cooley also co-hosted ''Cooley & Kevin'', a morning drive time sports show on ESPN 980 in D. C., with Kevin Sheehan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/08/05/why-chris-cooley-went-to-espn-980/ |title=Why Chris Cooley went to ESPN 980 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 5, 2013 |access-date=October 3, 2013 |author=Steinberg, Dan |author-link=Dan Steinberg}}</ref> The show was cancelled in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2018/08/13/kevin-sheehans-departure-spells-the-end-of-cooley-and-kevin-on-the-team-980/ |title=Kevin Sheehan's Departure Spells the End of 'Cooley & Kevin' on The Team 980 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 13, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2019}}</ref> Cooley now hosts his own podcast, The Chris Cooley Show, in which he discusses Redskins and NFL news and breaks down each week's game film. He also produces weekly film review segments on the Redskins' official website. On August 11, 2015, it was reported that Cooley expressed interest into returning to the NFL after working out at the Redskins facility during the off season. Cooley never officially retired from the NFL after not being re-signed by the Redskins in 2013. After playing only with the Redskins throughout his entire career, he was afraid to tarnish his legacy by joining another team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13295706/chris-cooley-former-washington-redskins-tight-end-welcome-return-nfl|title=Chris Cooley, former Washington Redskins Tight end, Welcomes return to the NFL|date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2015}}</ref> The following month, Cooley attended a workout for the [[New York Giants]] but was not signed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000541966/article/hakeem-nicks-wes-welker-work-out-for-giants|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930082450/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000541966/article/hakeem-nicks-wes-welker-work-out-for-giants|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2015|title=Hakeem Nicks and Wes Welker work out for Giants|access-date=September 29, 2015|author=NFL.com|website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref> On September 1, 2022, Cooley was inducted into Washington's Greatest Players list in honor of the franchise's 90th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|work=Commanders.com|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-inductees-to-greatest-players-list|title=Commanders announce inductees to 'Greatest Players' list|date=September 1, 2022|accessdate=September 2, 2022|first=Zach|last=Selby}}</ref> ==Personal life== Cooley resides in Powell, Wyoming.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Field|first=Carson|title=Former NFL standout Chris Cooley comes home to Powell|url=https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/homecoming,28629|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Powell Tribune|date=December 29, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Though he has previously attended [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], he has not affiliated with that Church since at least 2004.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/chris-cooley-opens-up-about-his-release-and-whether-he-could-play-for-dallas/2012/08/30/d427dc22-f2a7-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_blog.html|title=Chris Cooley opens up about his release and whether he could play for Dallas|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2011/03/fan-mail.html|title=Fan Mail|date=March 8, 2011|website=Fan Mail ~ The Official Blog of Chris Cooley|access-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref> He and his first wife Angela divorced in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/archive/sports/2006/01/07/captain-chaos-enjoying-the-ride-span-classbankheadredskins-cooley-knows-when-to-play-hard-when-to-just-play-span/87f50a6b-d7a9-4f66-98a1-796dcff6f8d4/?resType=accessibility|title=Captain Chaos Enjoying the Ride Redskins' Cooley Knows When to Play Hard, When to Just Play|last=Wise|first=Mike|date=January 7, 2006|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref> Later that year, he started dating Redskinette (Redskin cheerleader) Christy Oglevee. She was fired for fraternizing with Redskins players, which the Redskins organization prohibits.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/07/AR2007080701740.html |title=Captain Chaos Finds His First Mate |date=August 7, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> They married on May 23, 2008 in [[Lansdowne, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/25186/1/ | title=Redskins' Chris Cooley Married Christy Oglevee | work=Hip Hop Elements | date=May 22, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218001448/http://hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/25186/1/ | archive-date=December 18, 2010 }}</ref> In January 2012 they separated<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/chris-cooley-and-wife-christy-divorcing-after-four-years/2012/09/12/bad827ca-fd21-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_blog.html|title=Chris Cooley and wife Christy divorcing after four years | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=September 12, 2012}}</ref> and in September they announced their intent to divorce.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fogarty |first=Dan |url=http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/chris-cooley-divorce/ |title=Chris Cooley and His Wife are Getting a Divorce |date=September 13, 2012 |publisher=Sportsgrid.com |access-date=November 25, 2012 |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116040204/http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/chris-cooley-divorce/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cooley's first child, daughter Sloane, was born on September 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Czarda|first1=Stephen|title=Chris Cooley Holds Newborn Daughter|url=http://blog.redskins.com/2014/09/11/chris-cooley-holds-newborn-daughter/}}</ref> He is currently married to Madi Debray. Cooley owned and operated an art gallery in [[Leesburg, Virginia]] from 2010 to 2019<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Kara Clark|date=2019-01-17|title=Cooley Gallery Closes in Leesburg|url=https://loudounnow.com/2019/01/17/cooley-gallery-closes/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Loudoun Now|language=en-US}}</ref> where he also owned a home from 2007 to 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PARID: 309274195000|url=https://reparcelasmt.loudoun.gov/pt/search/commonsearch.aspx?mode=parid|url-status=live|website=Loudoun County Property Records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129012418/http://reparcelasmt.loudoun.gov:80/pt/search/commonsearch.aspx?mode=parid |archive-date=January 29, 2016 }}</ref> He and Debray relocated to Cooley's early childhood hometown of [[Powell, Wyoming]] in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Field|first=Carson|title=Former NFL standout Chris Cooley comes home to Powell|url=https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/homecoming,28629|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Powell Tribune|date=December 29, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Cooley, frequently referred to by his nickname "[[Captain Chaos]]," is known for his eccentric hair styles, affinity for [[heavy metal music]], and what one reporter has called an "''[[Animal House]]'' persona". This nickname was created when teammates bet him he would not go out to the opening coin toss and introduce himself to the opposing team captains as "Captain Chaos".<ref>{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Cooley-Helps-Keep-His-Teammates-Loose/CB5167BB-5DE9-4779-9D31-FFB7E99A7B7F|first=Gary|last=Fitzgerald|title=Cooley Helps Keep His Teammates 'Loose'|date=February 2, 2009|access-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045155/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Cooley-Helps-Keep-His-Teammates-Loose/CB5167BB-5DE9-4779-9D31-FFB7E99A7B7F|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cooley did so and the nickname stuck. Cooley maintains his own blog, "The Cooley Zone." On Sunday, September 14, 2008, Cooley posted on his blog a photo of Redskins training materials that also included his genitals. The picture remained on his site all day Sunday until it was finally removed. Cooley apologized and referred to the incident as "a complete accident", claiming that he initially posted the photo without realizing it showed his genitals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6792 |title=Redskins' Chris Cooley Shows His Genitals on His Blog |publisher=Cleveland Leader |date=September 17, 2008 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215170405/http://clevelandleader.com/node/6792 |archive-date=December 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc30.com/sports/17488179/detail.html |title=Connecticut Sports News, New England Sport Scores &#124; NBC Connecticut |publisher=Nbc30.com |access-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref> He at one time maintained an online store through [[eBay]], featuring jerseys, cards, and other personalized memorabilia. Cooley is an avid trading card collector, a hobby he rediscovered while searching for his own football cards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-Cooley-Zone-Collecting-cards-and-selling-th?urn=nfl,91618 |title= Collecting Trading Cards and Selling Them on eBay |access-date=September 4, 2008|publisher= July 2, 2008 by Chris Cooley}}</ref> Cooley is executive producer of the [[independent film]] ''[[Ghosts Don't Exist]]'', which began production in May 2009.<ref>{{cite web| title = Ghosts Don't Exist - Home| url = http://ghostsdontexist.19thandwilson.com/home.html| access-date = August 13, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707060334/http://ghostsdontexist.19thandwilson.com/home.html| archive-date = July 7, 2011| url-status = dead}}</ref> He was featured in an episode of ''[[Jake and Amir (web series)|Jake and Amir]]'' for the comedy website [[CollegeHumor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1928837 |title=Jake and Amir: Chris Cooley - CollegeHumor video |publisher=Collegehumor.com |date=February 4, 2010 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504130049/http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1928837 |archive-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cooley majored in art at Utah State, and now pursues a side career as a [[pottery|potter]]. Cooley made several appearances in TV commercials for [[Easterns Automotive Group]], a local car dealership group on the DC and Baltimore areas, alongside [[Clinton Portis]], [[Antwaan Randle El]], [[Sean Taylor]] and [[Jason Campbell]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3520589|title=PLAY ACTION: THE REDSKINS GO COMMERCIAL|date=August 6, 2008|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * Lindsey, Drew. "[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/sports/13136.html Chris Cooley Bares It All]", ''Washingtonian'', August 1, 2009. ==External links== {{Portal|Biography}} {{Commons category|Chris Cooley|Chris Cooley (American football)}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120818164445/http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/chris-cooley/fb3ed888-4c90-4802-97ed-a827b87451ec/ Washington Redskins bio] *{{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080405160639/http://www.chriscooley47.com:80/}} *[http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com Official blog] *[http://thecooleygallery.com/ The Cooley Gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103060535/http://thecooleygallery.com/ |date=January 3, 2011 }} *{{IMDb name|2988289|Chris Cooley}} {{Redskins2004DraftPicks}} {{Washington Commanders 90 Greatest}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cooley, Chris}} [[Category:1982 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American football fullbacks]] [[Category:American football tight ends]] [[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]] [[Category:People from Powell, Wyoming]] [[Category:People from Leesburg, Virginia]] [[Category:Players of American football from Loudoun County, Virginia]] [[Category:Players of American football from Wyoming]] [[Category:Utah State Aggies football players]] [[Category:Washington Redskins players]] [[Category:National Football League announcers]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Logan, Utah]] [[Category:Former Latter Day Saints]] [[Category:Washington Redskins announcers]]'