[1] Cooper was selected in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Steelers, and could only guarantee the third spot on the depth chart at tight end in the preseason.

He was eventually named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team for 1991, and was selected by Steelers as the Joe Greene Great Performance Award Winner.

[4] Cooper followed up his rookie performance by getting more snaps in 1992 as a starting tight end for the AFC Central Champions.

This total didn't include his final reception as a Steeler: a 10-yard touchdown pass from Neil O'Donnell in the 1993 AFC Wild-Card Playoff Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

"[2] Moving on to Minnesota in 1994, Cooper had his best season as a professional, catching 32 balls for 363 yards and starting 11 out of the 12 games he played.