Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper, despite facing some challenges this season, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and winning for the AFC Championship. He reflects on past playoff experiences and highlights the often-overlooked contributions of players beyond scoring points. Cooper expresses his excitement for the upcoming AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, recognizing this as a potential opportunity to finally reach the pinnacle of his career.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper , a five-time Pro Bowl selection, joined the AFC contender's lineup on October 15th. However, his contributions haven't lived up to his impressive resume. Cooper has missed three games due to injuries and has managed only 16 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns in his other eight appearances for Buffalo.
Moreover, in two playoff games this month, he has recorded just two receptions for 8 yards, seeing action for only 48 of the Bills' 137 offensive snaps.On Wednesday, Cooper reflected on his journey, acknowledging the team's collective effort is paramount to success. He stated, “I’ve never been this far in the playoffs. You know, obviously every receiver wants to have 10, 20 catches a game, but that’s not always how the cookie crumbles, and it’s not always the most beneficial thing for the team -- force-feeding one guy the ball just for the sake of that. Winning is obviously way more important, and there’s many ways to win and we’re getting a job done, so absolutely no complaints from me because that’s all I truly want. I mean, I’ve had it every other way and haven’t really reached the pinnacle of the sport how I would have liked.”The Bills are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. This encounter holds immense significance for Cooper, who has previously experienced playoff runs with other teams. Reflecting on those experiences, he emphasized the importance of teamwork and putting individual aspirations aside for the greater good. Cooper stated, “You ask them how many championships they won, nine times out of 10 -- like, I’m talking about the last-game type championship, not like a championship, then you got another game after that, and it’s another type of championship. You know, I’m talking about like state championships, national championships, Super Bowls, like that. Most of them will tell you they haven’t won any or they might have won one or two, maybe. Myself, I think I’ve won like two or three, maybe. “And the thing that I realized about playing on all those teams is there’s a couple differences. First of all, the team doesn’t really need you. You have so many players that are doing their job that they can get the job done without you, so that’s kind of where the ego dies and the pride is put aside for the sake of the team. You know, like the old saying: There’s no I in team. There truly isn’t, you know. When everybody is doing their job, that’s how you win a championship. And so when you look at it from that point of view, all that matters is being the last team to win a football game.Cooper highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of players beyond just scoring points. He emphasized, “You know, the receivers blocking, the corners tackling. Believe it or not, those things matter a lot more than people might realize. And usually those things are under-emphasized, but here they are emphasized, and it really contributes to winning.” This newfound appreciation for the collective effort underscores Cooper's hunger for a championship, a desire he has carried throughout his career. Looking ahead to the AFC Championship Game, Cooper expressed, “That’s how it feels. It feels like I’ve prepared for this moment all my life, and at times, because this is my 10th year, you kind of like -- I guess apprehensive is the right word about it actually not happening. And then, lo and behold, we have a hell of an opportunity, so I’m very excited.
Amari Cooper Buffalo Bills AFC Championship Kansas City Chiefs NFL Playoffs Teamwork Championship Super Bowl
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