Pharoh Cooper, a Havelock, N.C. native and NFL player, has officially retired from the sport at the age of 29. Cooper played one season with the Carolina Panthers before making the decision to hang up his cleats. He expressed his gratitude for being able to live out his childhood dream of playing in the NFL and thanked his family, friends, and fans for their support throughout his career.
Cooper’s NFL career began when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. His standout second year in Los Angeles earned him a first-team All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl selection after leading the league in kickoff return average. Despite spending time with multiple teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, and New York Giants, Cooper will be remembered for his time with the Rams and Panthers.
During his time with the Panthers in 2020, Cooper was the team’s primary kick and punt returner under head coach Matt Rhule. He had a successful season, returning 18 kicks for 430 yards and 20 punts for 117 yards. This lone campaign with the Panthers was a memorable one for Cooper.
