Kirk Cousins excelled in football, baseball, and basketball in high school.
Highlights
- Kirk Cousins’ parents, Don and MaryAnn Cousins, have supported his athletic pursuits since childhood.
- Don Cousins is a pastor, and MaryAnn Cousins (née Woodard) is a former flight attendant.
- Kirk excelled in multiple sports at Holland Christian High School and set several records at Michigan State University, including passing touchdowns and yards.
- Off the field, Cousins is deeply involved in philanthropic activities through the Julie and Kirk Cousins Foundation and maintains a strong presence in faith-based communities.
Kirk Cousins, currently a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, has built a notable career in the NFL, deeply influenced by his supportive family background.
His parents, Don and MaryAnn Cousins, played a significant role in his development, supporting his passion for sports from an early age.
Born on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois, Kirk Cousins is the second of three children in his family, with an older brother, Kyle, and a younger sister, Karalyne.
Don Cousins Is A Pastor At The Discovery Church In Orlando
Kirk’s father, Don Cousins, is a pastor and was among the founding leaders of Willow Creek Community Church.
According to Don’s LinkedIn profile, Don attended Trinity International University from 1974 to 1978 and graduated with a bachelor of arts in biblical studies.
Don currently works as the lead pastor at Discovery Church, a non-denominational church in Orlando, Florida, having joined in 2013.
In 2015, Don was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
He was, however, able to watch one of his son’s games in November 2015.
In a subsequent interview with Comcast SportsNet, Kirk quoted,
To have him back was exciting, and then to have a game like that was a lot of fun, giving him the game ball. And he just said, ‘Thank you. Thanks for a great day.’ It put a smile on his face. And it was special for our family, and we’ll enjoy it tonight.
Washington Post
MaryAnn Cousins Comes From An Iowan Family Of Football Greatness
Kirk’s mother, MaryAnn Cousins (née Woodard), worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for over three decades.
In a 2019 Instagram post, Kirk paid tribute to his mom’s career, writing,
Congrats Mom on 35 years (and counting) with one airline…your time at United has been the model of consistency, loyalty & hard work.
INSTAGRAM
Love you!
Growing up in Fort Dodge, Iowa, MaryAnn attended the University of Iowa, where she pursued a nursing degree and was a dancer on the college dance team, according to MLive.
MaryAnn’s father, Ralph Woodard, played tight end and defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 1940s.
Her uncle, Dick Woodard, was also on the team, playing center and linebacker. He would go on to get drafted into the NFL and play with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, formerly known as Washington Redskins.
Consequently, her family was avid fans of Iowa Hawkeyes.
Kirk Was A Three-Sport Athlete In High School
Kirk and his family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Kirk’s athletic journey began.
At Holland Christian High School, Cousins was a three-sport athlete, excelling in football, baseball, and basketball.
During his junior year, he suffered a broken ankle, casting doubt on his prospects for collegiate football.
Despite this setback, he concluded his high school football career with impressive statistics: 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.
Kirk Was Instrumental At Michigan State
Cousins attended Michigan State University from 2007 to 2011, where he became the Spartans’ all-time leader in several categories, including passing touchdowns (66), passing yards (9,131), and completions (723).
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Kirk Cousins – Michigan State pic.twitter.com/pqpW1SzhXc
His leadership and performance were instrumental in elevating the Spartans’ national standing during his tenure.
He was instrumental in leading Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten Championship in 2010 and a victory in the Outback Bowl in 2012.
Kirk Was A Fourth Round Pick
Selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins initially served as a backup before becoming the starting quarterback.
In 2018, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he continued to deliver strong performances and earned multiple Pro Bowl selections.
In 2024, Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons, bringing his veteran experience to the team’s offense.
Kirk Cousins Is Also A Man Of Faith And Philanthropist
Off the field, Kirk is deeply involved in various philanthropic activities, including the Julie and Kirk Cousins Foundation, founded by him and his wife, Julie Hampton, which supports causes such as education, healthcare, and sports.
One notable initiative is their partnership with the International Justice Mission to combat human trafficking.
As the son of a pastor, Cousins also maintains a strong faith, often speaking at events like the annual Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast about his personal faith journey.
Additional Information
- In 2014, Cousins married Julie Hampton. The couple has two sons, Cooper and Turner.
- Cousins applied to trademark the phrase “You like that!” after his famous post-game outburst in 2015. The phrase became a popular catchphrase among fans.
- Cousins has a strong passion for leadership and has attended several leadership conferences and seminars to enhance his skills.
