Mr. and Mrs. Cooley's love story, written by Chris

[Monkeydad]

(From Yahoo's front page this morning)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 10:28 am EDT
The Cooley Zone: My Redskins cheerleader-turned-Redskins wife

By Chris Cooley

Christy stepped through my back door two Julys ago. She walked into the house like she had climbed out of a poster in my high school bedroom. Past fashionably late, she had given me way too much time to sit and drink, and I knew it would be hard not to make an ass out of myself. By the time I was face to face with my favorite Redskins cheerleader, all I could muster was a shrugged shoulder handshake.

It was a Saturday night in the summertime and Christy was thinking about me. I would have never known what she had on her mind, but I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She confessed that it wasn't coincidence that brought her to the house and she was prepared. If looks were bait then I was hooked. She dressed to make men panic, but beyond that she was beautiful. Her smile was incredible and she had something terribly contagious in her eyes. Awkward glances and stares filled the room, and before the night ended I knew that I wanted more.

As a couple early on we were controversial, but entirely smooth. Rumors followed everywhere we went. Keeping a secret became hard when there wasn't a secret to start. It turned out a picture of the two of us had been leaked to the Redskins. Christy was fired from cheerleading two weeks after we started dating. Since her big paycheck ($75 a game) had come to an end, at least the sneaking around was over.

As we moved through the season, I fell in love with her. We went through a lot of weird stuff, but it never fazed either of us. Maybe her dad brainwashed me one of the nights I passed out at her house, because no matter what happened, I was crazy about her. More likely it was her mom, since I was usually trying to impress the old man by drinking him under the table.

It's amazing that the lastthree years together have gone by so fast. I'm getting married this Friday evening. I asked Christy to be my wife nine months ago, and I'm a lucky man; she chose to be with me. I think she has learned being with a football player is harder than it looks. She is looked through countless times by surrounding football fans, and the funny thing is Christy should be getting the attention. Not to mention she has to put up with my terrible attitude five months out of the year (A.K.A. football season).

While I can't wait to put the ring on I've had some resoundingly bad conversations over the last couple of months. Golf may have an uncountable list of ethics, though bothering a complete stranger about getting married is not one of them. First of all, I'm excited for the big day, so please don't feel sorry for me because marriage sucks for you. No, I'm not nervous, I don't want any marriage advice, and yes Christy's mom is still hot.

From the moment Christy said "yes" the plans began. I have to admit I haven't been the most avid planning participant, but one thing I was put in charge of was the seating. I'll say this: It should at least be an interesting night. I've had calls from numerous wedding guests, most recently Dan Snyder's assistant asking what table they could find their seats. Obviously my easiest seating solution, anywhere you can find a chair. I'm not trying to stick Dan with my drunken uncle, but drawing up all those name tags was way over my head.

I'm hoping for a huge night on Friday. We've paid for two open bars, and invited nothing short of an Animal House cast of characters. Although I hope Clinton's friends -- Southeast Jerome and co. -- don't crash the party. After our vows the only promise I will make is to not stuff the cake all over Christy's face. The rest of the reception is free game. It will certainly be a night to remember.

Chris Cooley is a Pro Bowl tight end for the Washington Redskins and blogs every Wednesday here on Shutdown Corner. Read more from Cooley on his personal blog, where he gets awesome all the time.


The Cooley Zone: My Redskins cheerleader-turned-Redskins wife - Shutdown Co... - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[snoopy]

no wonder hes happy and singing bon jovi smoking stoages and having a few beers

[killromo]

I saw this on yahoo, she is hottt! and he is a drunkkkk!

[GMScud]

Great story. But there he goes talking about the heavy drinking again. I think it's great that he's a guy's guy, but he really should taper that talk a bit.

[redsk1]

It must not suck to be Chris Cooley. That's one wedding that i'd like to be at. A mixture of Cooley & his friends, Dan Snyder, Clinton, and his drunk uncle.

[MTK]

Here we go again with the people that can't handle the fact that a guy in his 20's likes to drink.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Here we go again with the people that can't handle the fact that a guy in his 20's likes to drink.

They're just jealous of him!

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Buster

They're just jealous of him!

actually I'm happy for him.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Here we go again with the people that can't handle the fact that a guy in his 20's likes to drink.

I'm in my 20's and I like to drink. I have no issue with the act itself. But it seems like in every post he makes he's talking about getting hammered. I think he needs to be a careful about that. I don't see any other NFL stars blogging about drinking their future father in law "under the table." Cooley is probably my favorite Redskin now that Sean has passed. I just don't want to see him take any heat for it.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I'm in my 20's and I like to drink. I have no issue with the act itself. But it seems like in every post he makes he's talking about getting hammered. I think he needs to be a careful about that. I don't see any other NFL stars blogging about drinking their future father in law "under the table." Cooley is probably my favorite Redskin now that Sean has passed. I just don't want to see him take any heat for it.

Chill out bro. I understand what you're saying but Cooley isn't James Thrash. He likes to party and have a good time like I'm sure a lot of guys do. I'm sure once the season starts he takes care of business.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Chill out bro. I understand what you're saying but Cooley isn't James Thrash. He likes to party and have a good time like I'm sure a lot of guys do. I'm sure once the season starts he takes care of business.

ARGGGGHHHH!!! Read my posts BRO! I never said he shouldn't party!!!!

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GMScud

ARGGGGHHHH!!! Read my posts BRO! I never said he shouldn't party!!!!

I did. I hear what you're sayin. I just like that the dude is being honest.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Chill out bro. I understand what you're saying but Cooley isn't James Thrash. He likes to party and have a good time like I'm sure a lot of guys do. I'm sure once the season starts he takes care of business.

I agree, and I don't want to take this off topic...but, how is it that you don't have the same view of Jason Taylor who has spent a decade showing that he takes care of business when the season starts?

As for Cooley, I don't think any of us have ever had any reason to truly question his work ethic or performance and I think some might be reading too much into what he writes.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I agree, and I don't want to take this off topic...but, how is it that you don't have the same view of Jason Taylor who has spent a decade showing that he takes care of business when the season starts?

As for Cooley, I don't think any of us have ever had any reason to truly question his work ethic or performance and I think some might be reading too much into what he writes.

For me, the blog thing has never been about his performance. He's obviously been the same cool, party loving dude for a while, and has always excelled on the football field regardless. Plus (knock on wood) he never misses a game. I don't think anyone here has questioned his work ethic.

But I'm really not sure why it's so hard for people here to see that an NFL star blogging repeatedly about heavy drinking could eventually be a problem.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I'm in my 20's and I like to drink. I have no issue with the act itself. But it seems like in every post he makes he's talking about getting hammered. I think he needs to be a careful about that. I don't see any other NFL stars blogging about drinking their future father in law "under the table." Cooley is probably my favorite Redskin now that Sean has passed. I just don't want to see him take any heat for it.

I'm in my 20's too (only a few months older than Chris Cooley actually), but I agree with you here. It isn't worth talking about drinking all time and, quite frankly, for people whose bodies are their livelihood it does not make a whole lot of sense to drink period. Obviously a lot of sports players do, but as a matter of economic rationality it doesn't make a whole lot of sense (like riding motorcycles or playing pick-up basketball). Not illegal (as long as you aren't driving) but not really the smartest thing to do and does have an effect on your body (even if you can compete at a high level, if you are using alcohol on a consistent basis you are not maximizing your physical potential University Health Center | AOD | Alcohol and Athletic Performance). I don't know how much Chris Cooley drinks, and so far there has not been any problem so obviously he can do as he wants, but there is more negative that can come from drinking than positive. If nothing else talking about getting hammered opens you to criticism so it is probably in his own interest to keep it out of the blogging.