NFL social media personality Dov Kleiman recently brought an old fan joke back into the spotlight. He shared a meme clip that revived a playful rumor involving WWE star Nikki Bella and Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles. The clip comes from an older episode of the reality show Total Bellas. In the scene, Bella responds to a question about dating by saying, “I’m so open.”
Fans quickly edited the clip into a meme. The new version adds the question, “Would you date Cooper DeJean?” The joke traces back to early 2026 during an episode of WWE Raw in Philadelphia. While Nikki Bella was in the ring, the crowd began chanting “Coop,” a reference to Cooper DeJean, who had become a rising star for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper Dejean (33)
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper Dejean (33) walks off the field after win against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Some fans started calling her “Aunt Nikki Bella” in memes because of the age gap. Bella is 42, and DeJean is 23. It is all fan fun; there is no real dating between them.
Bella divorced Artem Chigvintsev in 2025 after domestic violence charges. She has a son, Matteo, and has said she is open to dating but focuses on family. In a 2025 interview, Bella said, “I’m ready for something new, but it has to be right for me and my son.” She dated athletes like John Cena for long periods before.
DeJean had a strong 2025 season with the Eagles. He had 93 tackles, 64 solo, 16 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. This built on his rookie year in 2024 with 51 tackles and 6 pass deflections, helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. His play earned him his first Pro Bowl in 2025.
Dov Kleiman’s post brought the old meme back, getting the spark of romance lit again.
DeJean’s Response Keeps Focus on Career Amid Romantic Meme Buzz
DeJean was asked about the rumor in interviews and on the Nikki & Brie Show podcast in March 2026. He grinned and said, “That’s crazy. I don’t know about that.” DeJean explained he was surprised by the WWE chant but found it funny.
He said, “I appreciate the love from the fans. It was wild to hear my name in that setting.” DeJean added the “Aunt Nikki” part is just a fan joke on the age difference, and he has no interest. He said, “She’s beautiful, but I’m focused on football right now.”
DeJean is single and keeps his personal life private. He grew up in Iowa and credits family for his success. His parents supported him through college. DeJean has no dating history in public. His goal is helping the Eagles defense rank high, like top-5 in pass yards allowed in 2025.
The meme is lighthearted fan fiction. DeJean models his game after Jaire Alexander, focusing on coverage. His priority is team wins, not rumors.