Let me preface this story by saying that, in any measurable means, Kirk Cousins is a greater man than me. He’s shiny, robust and a tremendous quarterback. Cousins is a Christian; he’s charitable, beautiful and humble — properly, there could also be one exception to that closing attribute.
Cousins spends a lot of Netflix docuseries Quarterback season two seemingly eager to be acknowledged in Atlanta, his new NFL metropolis however one near his coronary heart. Cousins and his spouse Julie Hampton have been married in Atlanta in 2014; their son Turner is known as after Ted Turner, and the household is settled within the suburbs of Atlanta. The house to the Falcons is extra than simply an adopted NFL hometown for them — it’s an actual hometown.
Cousins’ 2024 NFL season had extra downs than it had ups, with Kirk going from Falcons starter to Michael Penix Jr.’s backup. It’s all chronicled in Quarterback, which featured Cousins because the lone returning QB from season one.
Additionally chronicled in season two, which I don’t particularly recall from season one — when Cousins was in Minnesota because the Vikings sign caller — is Cousins kind of outing himself in public as Kirk Daniel Cousins. It’s not not charming, however it’s fairly noticeable.
The primary incident was probably the most obvious. In season two’s episode two, following a win, Cousins and his brother Kyle Cousins hit Cook dinner Out.
“I haven’t had Cook dinner Out in like a yr,” Cousins tells the drive-thru window employee. “And I’ve all the time wished to go to this Cook dinner Out after a Falcons sport.”
“Why?” the worker asks.
Kirk: ”As a result of it’s near the stadium.”
“Wait, you play with the Falcons or one thing?” the worker asks, clearly catching her immediate.
Kirk: ”No, I simply was on the sport.”
“You’ll be able to inform her you do,” Kyle tells his brother.
You understand you need to, Kirk.
Properly now he can’t. It seems she’s a New Orleans Saints fan anyway — time to peel away.
“We are going to see you once more sometime after a Falcons sport,” Kirk says as they head dwelling to take pleasure in a burger meal.
Cousins makes good on that promise in episode 4.
Kirk Cousins in Netflix’s Quarterback season two.
Courtesy of Netflix
However first, in episode three, Cousins goes to Nice Clips in what comes throughout as a fishing expedition to be the following Nice Clips spokesperson. In actuality, it’s most likely simply additional proof that Cousins is only a completely happy, modest dude.
The very first thing you (most likely didn’t) discover in that scene is that on the Wait Listing, Kirk Cousins is “Cousins, Ok.” The opposite people are First Identify-only or First Identify + Final Preliminary, which this Nice Clips buyer (Tony M.) can affirm because the norm. Sure, that’s nitpicking. However then Cousins pulls up his official NFL headshot from a Falcons sport day program (with shoulder pads and all) on his mobile phone to indicate the barber the precise type he’s trying to replicate.
Cousins says he needs “Like a one, and then you definately fade it up,” referencing the clipper quantity. Right here comes extra pettiness from this New York Giants fan: Nice Clips has a file on every of its common prospects. They know what you get and not using a photograph reference. And earlier than you argue, “Properly possibly he simply popped in…”
Uh-uh.
“I am going to 1 place and that’s Nice Clips,” Cousins says later within the to-camera “Confessional”-style interview.
“I sort of reside everywhere in the nation,” Cousins tells his stylist, “so I simply kinda Google the closest Nice Clips and make it work.”
“It’s exhausting to have a go-to barber if you’re all the time on the go,” he provides.
Simply say it. You’re Kirk Cousins — sure, the Kirk Cousins — quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons. And naturally you’ll pose for a selfie.
OK, it’s time to be honest. When Netflix cameras observe you in all places, and Netflix waivers must be signed, it’s most likely price breaking that stress with an intro. However you don’t need to assume individuals know who you might be — NFL gamers are a bit conspicuous behind their helmet and a masks — and also you additionally don’t need to simply announce who you might be, as if anticipating a sure response. So these moments might be awkward for the star of any actuality sequence — but it surely doesn’t should be.
Plus, I guess Cousins tipped properly; once more, he’s dude, clearly. (Additionally clear by this level: I’m not.) Cousins is a first-ballot Heaven man, whereas I’d want a sponsor’s exemption. (Has that Nice Clips spox gig been crammed but?)
Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons warming up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 5 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Todd Kirkland/Getty Photographs
They are saying three is a sample, so let’s hold our binge going.
Within the fourth of seven Quarterback season two episodes, Cousins’ brother returns to city together with two of Kirk’s highschool buddies. At a rustic membership lunch, the three non-celebrities every order a Roy Rogers (Coca-Cola with grenadine) to drink. Cousins stays as thirsty as ever, although not for a bar-made cherry Coke. (Truly, he’d love one.)
“Simply water for me,” Cousins tells the waitress. “But when it was the offseason, I’d undoubtedly be becoming a member of them in having a Roy Rogers.”
In case you have been questioning, it was undoubtedly not established (within the scene as minimize and introduced) that Cousins was an athlete who had a season to not destroy with the mix of cola, fruit juices and synthetic flavors. Additionally price mentioning if it’s not clear: not everybody in Atlanta, Georgia both works within the service trade or is an expert athlete.
The ultimate three episodes for Cousins’ storyline are too somber for him to search for recognition or for me to poke enjoyable at it. Cousins will get harm, he will get benched and the Falcons miss the playoffs.
Kirk Cousins’ 2024 NFL season is over, however not and not using a few closing reminders of his kindness; I owe it to him to finish on these notes. For starters, if you happen to don’t get misty-eyed when Julie tells the story of discovering her husband within the storage congratulating Michael Penix Jr. instantly after Kirk learns he misplaced the beginning job to the rookie, you have got much less of a soul than I do. We like that. We like that!
However maybe no scene in Quarterback season two depicts how beloved Cousins is greater than in his return to Minnesota, the place his former Vikings teammates and staffers principally wouldn’t let him depart the sphere till he received all the post-game love. And Cousins gave it proper again: to Sam Darnold, the quarterback the Vikings stored once they let Cousins stroll (and who threw 5 touchdowns that day in a Minnesota win), to the very defensive secondary that intercepted Cousins twice, and actually, to anyone he might get his glove hand and throwing hand on.
Meet Kirk Cousins — he’s a hell of a man.
Quarterback season two is now streaming on Netflix.