On training camp days when it's closed to the public, the practice is usually a quieter one aside from the occasional back and forth between players chirping at each other or the music that's played at a more reasonable level. Wednesday's training camp practice was one that was closed to the public, but cheering from a group of high schoolers in orange and black football jerseys filled the rather quiet field. Although the practice was a walk through, the high schoolers cheered Kupp on from the sideline for any catches he made and chanted his name hoping the ball would be going his way.
The group of around 80 or so high school football players and coaches made the two-hour trip from Eastern Washington to watch one of their very own. From Yakima, Wash. to Seattle, the Davis High School football team watched practice and waited for the chance to get to interact with Kupp afterwards.
"Cooper, we named our dog after you." one student shouted out from the group that encircled Kupp as he was making his rounds to talk to as many players as he could.
Kupp responded, "Oh you did? That's pretty cool."
While that's such a small thing and one that's meant to be endearing, it also shows just how much Kupp means to the students from his alma mater.
"He's our biggest inspiration," Raymond Ortiz, one of the Davis High School players said. "It makes me think that if he could do it, we could do it too."
When Kupp signed with Seattle, his high school receivers coach, who is now the head coach at Davis High School, Jay Dumas said, "Around this state, in the Pacific Northwest, we're getting one of our own… and I think that is a special deal. All of the 12s will know him from his days with the [Davis] Pirates, his days with the [Eastern Washington] Eagles, his days with the Rams and now his days with the Hawks."
For Dumas and his team, it means something special to have a role model come from where they're from.
"Kind of full circle, for me, having Cooper as one of those first players that I've coached in high school," Dumas said. "He really set the example of what it takes to be good in high school. So, for a lot of these kids, they didn't get a chance to experience that because they were just being born when he was in high school, and they've heard the stories. For us to be able to bring them here, see him work in this setting, being a professional. I think for a lot of our kids, they don't see a lot of guys from our community being successful like that in football. For them to get a chance to see one of our own doing it at the professional level and at a high level, it was really cool."
Along with Kupp, other Seahawks players like Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Sam Darnold and Coby Bryant made their way over after practice to take photos with the athletes, give out autographs and for some of them, even give some coaching pointers to some of the high schoolers.
"I've loved the Seahawks since I was a little kid," Ortiz said. "This is almost like a dream come true. Me as a football player, them helping me is like 'Oh that's awesome. NFL players coaching me up.' I think that's the best thing they could have done. That's going to make me want to look up to them as a player too."
Ortiz added, "It makes me want to make it to the NFL and that just gives me more inspiration, seeing what they could do and how they did it it's just awesome."
For all of the athletes, this will be a fond moment for them to think back on.
"I think more than anything it's the lasting memory," Dumas said. "I'm not sure how inspired they're going to be to go back in the weight room and start doing extra work, but I do know for a lot of these kids, this is a memory that they'll never forget. They got a chance to meet a lot of pros, including Cooper. A lot of the players that they've looked up to over the last few years, and so for them to get a chance to meet some of their heroes I think is really special. It puts a human element touch to it for some of the players. I'm hoping that the players got just as much out of it as our players did too."
Tevin Rori, another football player for Davis High School said, "[Cooper Kupp is] coming from where we come from, where we practice, where we put on our gear. It just gives us motivation, just know we can do it too."
Before closing out the visit, Dumas surprised Kupp with one of his high school jerseys, while also pointing out that no player on the team was sporting the jersey number.
"It's already kind of unofficially retired, but we haven't done the full ceremony, but that is out of respect for him. Knowing what he's done for our program. He was part of the first winning season in about 30 years [at A.C. Davis High School]. So he was a big part of that. His memory and that number for a lot of people is really special. I just wanted to honor that and make sure that he got that jersey that he worked hard for."
The Seahawks took off the pads for a practice on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (93) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (93) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Thor Griffith (66) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (93) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) and defensive tackle Thor Griffith (66) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (93) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive line coach John Benton at practice on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak at practice on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) and running back D.K Kaufman (33) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak with Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
A.C. Davis High School visited Seahawks training camp on July 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
