Coming from the Winnipeg Rods junior team and joining the Blue Bombers in 1964, Cooper won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy for best Canadian rookie in the west on the strength of his 24 pass receptions for 409 yard and 4 touchdowns (he also rushed the ball, kicked off, and returned both kicks and punts.)[1] After four seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers he played 6 seasons with the Ottawa Rough Riders, winning 2 Grey Cups. He finished the 1973 with the Edmonton Eskimos and ended his football career in 1974 with the Toronto Argonauts.[2]