measured his velocity in seconds and miles per hour;
and a “towing unit,” which he wore while sprinting to
add resistance (usually more than 100 pounds).
With his plan in place and his barn constructed,
Kupp drilled into as many movement options
(wiggles, cuts, stutter steps) as he could. He would
take into account variables such as defensive
alignments and schemes; skills, weaknesses, and
body language of defenders; weather; playing
surface; and equipment. He used GPS data to
determine when he reached his max velocity
(approximately 25 yards downfield, five yards quicker
than normal).
Kupp would go on to lead the NFL in catches (145),
receiving yards (1,947), and TD receptions (16) in the
regular season. He then capped off his postseason
with an MVP performance in Super Bowl LVI, which
the Rams won over the Bengals, 23–20.
It was a most unlikely season. Teammates describe
him as borderline brilliant, but early in his career he
was discounted. He ran such a glacial 40-yard dash at
the 2017 NFL scouting combine that his time of 4.62
seconds was matched by a punter.FOOTBALL IN HIS GENES
Kupp’s grandfather, Jake, grew up on a farm in
Yakima, a Washington city east of Seattle. On hot
summer days he settled under a peach tree. Lying
down and looking up, he visualized an impossible
future: playing baseball for the Yankees. He did
become a professional athlete, although in football,
in which he played 12 seasons for four franchises,
earning a Pro Bowl nod while with the Saints.
Jake returned to Yakima and passed the dream
gene to his son, Craig, who carved out his own NFL
career, as a backup quarterback with three teams.50 / SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS