GREEN BAY – Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was named the 2026 community service award winner at the team's annual "Welcome Back Packers Luncheon" on Friday.
The third-year linebacker has been an active participant in the NFL's annual My Cause, My Cleats initiative, raising money for both Happily Ever After pet sanctuary in Green Bay and Exceptional Equestrians in neighboring De Pere.
Honored for those charitable efforts and several others, Cooper was greeted with a standing ovation from those in attendance inside the Lambeau Field Atrium for the event.
"It's an honor to get this award knowing many guys who also deserved it," Cooper said. "I want to thank everyone who put in the work to give me the opportunity to help others and put me in position to do what I do and show love to those who need it."
An animal lover, Cooper raised money and awareness in support of Happily Ever After during his rookie season in 2024. The non-profit is dedicated to saving dogs and cats, providing lifetime care, rehabilitation, and finding them forever homes.
A horse owner and aficionado, Cooper and several of his Packers teammates visited Exceptional Equestrians last December. The local non-profit provides equine-assisted therapy sessions to help participants build confidence, coordination, and connection.
Green Bay Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper, T Dalton Cooper, T Brant Banks, TE Drake Dabney, DL Nazir Stackhouse, and TE McCallan Castles took part in an evening with Exceptional Equestrians in De Pere on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.
That same month, Cooper hosted Cowboy Coop's Holiday Roundup Toy Drive, collecting new board and card games and personally delivering them to students at Howe Elementary School in Green Bay.
"It's always great to see our players out in the community doing great things," said Head Coach Matt LaFleur after congratulating Cooper on his award. "As great of a player as he is, he's an even better person."
Cooper capped an impressive offseason off the field when he participated in the annual Tailgate Tour throughout the state of Wisconsin and Iowa this past spring. The event raised more than $500,000 for four charities across the region.
"It was always in my heart to help people who need help and love. I've been there before," Cooper said. "Just putting an impact on people's faces, kids', schools, families, I smile a lot myself, so I know how much weight that holds."
