Rams WR Cooper Kupp Meets World War II Veteran In Heartwarming Video
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 17, 2022 at 4:15 PM EDT
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp invited a World War II veteran to the game after the 97-year-old went viral on TikTok.
But NFL fans were left teary-eyed after Kupp ran to the sideline during yesterday's game against the Panthers to shake hands with the veteran.
Cooper Kupp Invites William Goode To Rams Game
Superbowl champion Cooper Kupp is known as one of the best wide receivers on the field, and one of the most humble human beings off the field.
During yesterday's game, Kupp brought his kindness to the field when he invited a 97-year-old World War II veteran to the game, ran over and shook his hand, and signed a jersey for him.
ESPN NFL reporter Sarah Barshop shared a video of the heartwarming exchange to Twitter, writing, "Before the game, Cooper Kupp met William Goode, a World War II veteran. Kupp invited Goode to the game and signed a personalized jersey for him."
https://twitter.com/sarahbarshop/status/1581738570028486657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1581738570028486657%7Ctwgr%5E74994e77c470785eb5827b6c90ffa1a1b65141a2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnfl%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F34810393%2Fcooper-kupp-meets-tiktok-famous-wwii-veteran-panthers-rams
Cooper Kupp knew of Goode as they are both from Yakima, Washington. And when Kupp found out Goode's story was going viral because of influencer Isaiah Garza, he said he wanted to do something nice for Goode and Garza. So, when the wide receiver found out Goode was a Rams fan, he invited him to the game.
"[Kupp is] a special human being and it shows that he has a big heart," Garza said.
When Garza told Goode he was about to meet Cooper Kupp, his face lit up. "Oh my gosh," Goode said. "He's the best. I don't believe it."
After the heartwarming exchange, Kupp ran back onto the field to complete warm-ups, and Goode just sat there taking it all in, looking around the sideline.
"I'll never forget that," he said.
Who Is William Goode?
World War II veteran William Goode shared his story recently, which went viral when TikTok thanks to influencer Isaiah Garza. The viral video showed the duo visiting to Disneyland together, which touched the hearts of millions. (As of Sunday, the video has been viewed more than 16 million times.)
In the viral video, Garza approached Goode, who is using a walker. "I'm sorry to bother you. I've had a really, really rough day," Garza said. "I just wanted to see if you'd be willing to go to Disneyland with me today." "Hey, that's great," the World War II veteran replied as he chuckled. "You really want to take me?"
Garza confirmed this was not a joke and said he would even pay for everything. "My gosh, I can't believe this," the 97-year-old replied.
The TikTok influencer said the reasoning behind the video was simply just the fact that they wanted to make a senior citizen smile, and what better way to do so than by taking them to the Happiest Place on Earth.
"I think a lot of people, veterans, senior citizens, they're left out a lot in life," Garza said of the viral video. "And I think they deserve a second chance. And I just want to be that person to make him feel like he has a second chance at life. And even though he's this age, he doesn't feel this age. And I feel like I just want to make him feel like he has life back in him and some soul back in him."
