Chris Cooley
A sure-handed tight end whose colorful personality and clutch catches made him a beloved figure for Washington football fans during the 2000s.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player·Birthday: July 11·Millennials
Biography
Chris Cooley played his entire nine-year NFL career in Washington, earning Pro Bowl honors and setting franchise records for tight ends. Drafted in 2004 out of Utah State, he became a favorite target with soft hands and yards-after-catch ability. His off-field persona—a self-deprecating blog and passion for team history—forged a unique bond with the city. Injuries cut his career short, but his legacy is that of a blue-collar playmaker who embraced his role as a community figure as much as an athlete.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the Washington franchise record for most career receptions by a tight end (429).
- Selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2008 for his standout performances.
- Caught 33 career touchdown passes, ranking among the team's all-time leaders for tight ends.
Did You Know?
He hosted a popular blog called 'The Cooley Zone' during his playing days, offering candid behind-the-scenes insights.
Cooley is an accomplished artist and has held public showings of his paintings and sculptures.
He once played a full game with a broken leg, a fact only discovered after an MRI following the game.
“I loved playing football, and I loved being a part of this city.”
