Saints Star Meets His Match: Inside the Unexpected Connection Between NFL’s Rising Star and WNBA Sensation Te’a Cooper”
By Jordan Michaels | Sports Illustrated Exclusive | November 9, 2025
When New Orleans Saints wide receiver Darius “DJ” Holt first met Te’a Cooper, it wasn’t under the blinding lights of a game or a high-profile red-carpet event—it was at a charity basketball clinic in Los Angeles last summer. Holt, who’d been focused solely on his second NFL season, never expected the encounter to alter his perspective both on and off the field.
“I’ll admit—she wasn’t what I had imagined,” Holt recalled with a laugh during a recent interview. “At that point, I had my head completely wrapped up in football, the grind, and trying to prove myself. I wasn’t looking for anything else.”
But “anything else” came anyway.
Te’a Cooper, the electric WNBA guard known for her charisma and fearless play, was hosting the clinic alongside a few teammates. When Holt arrived, late from practice, Cooper didn’t hesitate to call him out—playfully, of course. “She told me, ‘You might be fast on the field, but you’re slow getting here,’” Holt said. “Everybody laughed. I just stood there thinking, *who is this woman?”
That confidence—mixed with Cooper’s natural energy—quickly drew Holt in. Over the next few weeks, what started as friendly banter evolved into hours-long conversations about sports, pressure, and purpose.
“She’s got this spark about her,” Holt said. “It’s not just how she plays—it’s how she *lives*. She’s always going at full speed, and it made me realize I was stuck in a routine. She challenged me to see things differently.”
Sources close to both athletes say their connection grew quietly but steadily. The two were spotted together courtside at a Lakers game in September and later at a Saints bye-week charity event in New Orleans. Though neither has officially confirmed their relationship status, the chemistry between them hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Te’a, when asked about Holt during a post-game press conference, simply smiled and said, “He’s a competitor. I like that.”
For Holt, who’s been praised for his discipline and work ethic, Cooper represents more than a romantic interest—she’s a reminder that there’s more to life than the playbook. “She’s different,” he said. “She’s not impressed by stats or fame. She wants real effort, real conversation. That kind of honesty—it’s rare.”
Whether this connection turns into a lasting partnership or simply remains an inspiring friendship, one thing is certain: the Saints star has found someone who can match his drive, challenge his focus, and maybe even teach him how to handle a crossover.
As Holt puts it, grinning, “On the field, I’m used to taking hits. But Te’a? She hit different.”