The nickname started as a playful nod to something rarely seen in today’s NFL — two white defensive backs anchoring the same secondary. Now, Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean have turned their “Exciting Whites” moniker into multimedia gold with the launch of their podcast, Exciting Mics.
Just one month after its debut, the show has already climbed to No. 10 among football podcasts in the United States, according to Podscan data — a remarkable feat for two players still early in their NFL careers. The podcast grew naturally out of the chemistry between Blankenship, 26, and DeJean, 22, whose on-field bond helped anchor Philadelphia’s Super Bowl–winning defense.
“They kind of brainstormed the idea, the name of it, and we checked off on it and just ran with it,” Blankenship said to the Philadelphia Inquirer during DeJean’s recent charity softball game in Iowa.
The project was developed in partnership with sports agency Athletes First, digital production group GOAT Farm Media, and the ALLCITY Network. The duo has already welcomed high-profile guests, including Eagles teammate Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia rap legend Gillie Da King.
For DeJean, the podcast offers a new outlet to build connections with teammates and fans. “I get to have good conversations outside of the locker room, which is awesome, with some teammates and some other people within the city,” the former Iowa star said.
Blankenship views the podcast as a deeper extension of locker room culture. “You don’t always get to sit down and have a personal talk with everybody,” he said. “This kind of gives us that chance.”
The “Exciting Whites” nickname, initially coined by fans, has become a badge of honor — literally. The pair wore matching '90s-style T-shirts with the phrase ahead of a Thursday Night Football win against Washington, which only fueled the brand’s rise. “You look around, you see everybody wearing those shirts,” Blankenship said. “And it’s funny, because the fans are the ones that came up with the nickname; we kind of embraced it and just ran with it.”
Coming off a Super Bowl victory that immortalized their partnership in Eagles lore, both players are using their platform to engage with the Philadelphia community while staying locked in on football.
“Just to feel love from the city, for us to have success last year — and obviously, win the Super Bowl — was awesome,” DeJean said. “Now we’ve got to get back to work and try and do it again.”