It’s been over two years, and if you walk into any sports bar in Iowa City, you’re still likely to hear someone complaining about the "invalid fair catch signal." Honestly, the Cooper DeJean punt return against Minnesota in 2023 wasn't just a play. It was a cultural moment for Hawkeye fans. One of those "where were you when the refs took it away" kind of deals.
The setup was classic Iowa. It was late October. The offense was, to put it mildly, struggling to move the ball an inch. Minnesota was up 12-10 with about 90 seconds left on the clock. It felt like the game was over. Then, Minnesota punts. Cooper DeJean, probably the most electric athlete to wear a Hawkeye jersey in a generation, fields it near the sideline after a bounce.
He weaves. He cuts. He basically teleports through the Gophers' coverage unit.
When he hit the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown, Kinnick Stadium absolutely exploded. People were hugged. Beers were spilled. Iowa was going to win 16-12.
Until they weren't.
The Rule That Nobody Knew Existed
We’ve all seen a fair catch. A guy stands there, waves his hand way above his head, and the play is dead. Easy. But what happened to DeJean was a deep-cut rulebook technicality that felt like it was pulled out of a hat.
Referee Tim O’Dey and his crew went to the monitor. At first, everyone thought they were checking to see if DeJean stepped out of bounds. He didn't. He was miles from the white paint. But as the review dragged on, the vibe in the stadium shifted from celebration to confusion.
When O'Dey finally turned his mic on, he didn't talk about the sideline. He talked about a "waving motion."
By rule, an invalid fair catch signal is any waving motion by a member of the receiving team during the kick. Because DeJean had waved his left hand toward the ball—basically telling his teammates "get away, it's bouncing"—the refs ruled the ball dead the second he touched it.
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The touchdown was gone. Iowa got the ball at their own 46. A few plays later, an interception sealed the loss.
Why the Call Was Technically Right (and Morally Wrong)
If you look at the NCAA rulebook, specifically Rule 6, it’s pretty black and white. Any waving motion that isn't a full-blown fair catch signal still counts as an invalid signal. Once that happens, the ball is dead where it’s caught. No return allowed.
But here’s the thing: DeJean wasn't waving for a fair catch. He was pointing at the ball and keeping his balance. Even he said after the game, "I've never called for a fair catch with my left hand. Ever."
Coach Kirk Ferentz was fuming. He pointed out that "most people, when they run, their arms do wave." It felt like a "gotcha" moment. The refs used replay to find a technicality that nobody on the field—not even the Minnesota players—actually thought had happened in real time.
A Shift in Momentum for DeJean’s Career
Despite that heartbreaking moment, DeJean didn't slow down. He finished 2023 as a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. That's the irony. The guy who had a game-winning touchdown taken away for a "signal" was still officially recognized as the best in the business at returning punts.
People started comparing him to Nile Kinnick. Phil Parker, Iowa’s defensive coordinator, even said DeJean might be the "modern-day" version of the legend. That kind of praise isn't handed out lightly in Iowa City.
Bringing that Iowa Grit to the NFL
When the Philadelphia Eagles took DeJean in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they weren't just getting a corner. They were getting that same return-game juice.
His rookie year in Philly was something out of a movie. He didn't just play; he thrived. By the time Super Bowl LIX rolled around in early 2025, DeJean was a household name. He actually intercepted Patrick Mahomes and took it 38 yards for a touchdown in that game.
Think about that. The guy who had a legendary college return erased by a technicality ended up scoring a defensive touchdown on his 22nd birthday to help win a Super Bowl. Talk about a comeback.
In 2024, he handled 21 punts for the Eagles, averaging about 10 yards a pop. In 2025, he stepped up even more, earning a Pro Bowl nod and First-team All-Pro honors as a versatile defensive back who could also flip the field on special teams.
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What Returners (and Fans) Can Learn From the DeJean Saga
If you’re a young returner or a coach, the Cooper DeJean punt return is now the "teaching tape" for what not to do with your hands. It changed how players approach a bouncing ball.
- Keep the hands down: Unless you want the play blown dead, you can't wave. Pointing with a finger is fine, but any "sweeping" motion is a death sentence for a return.
- Trust the whistle: DeJean kept running because he didn't hear a whistle. In the NCAA, the ball is dead by rule, not just by sound.
- The "Spirit" vs. the "Letter": This play remains the ultimate example of why fans hate replay. It took a spectacular, athletic feat and erased it because of a gesture that had zero impact on the actual play.
For Iowa fans, the 12-10 loss to Minnesota will always be the "Cooper DeJean Game." It’s a reminder that in football, sometimes the most impressive plays don’t actually count on the scoreboard. But for DeJean, it was just a pit stop on the way to becoming one of the most versatile players in the NFL.
If you're watching the Eagles this weekend, keep an eye on #33 when the punt team comes out. He’s still just as dangerous as he was that night in Kinnick. He just keeps his hands a little quieter now.
Keep an eye on these specific details for future games:
Check the "fair catch" mechanics during the next Big Ten or NFL broadcast you watch. You'll notice returners are much more deliberate now about keeping their non-signaling arm tucked or strictly pointing with a closed fist to avoid the "waving" trap that caught DeJean. If you're following the Eagles, look at how Vic Fangio uses DeJean's "Cash" versatility—moving him from nickel to safety—which is exactly the hybrid role that made him a nightmare for Big Ten offenses before he ever touched the ball on a punt.