This Dallas Cowboys receiver is spending the offseason cooking for his teammates
While most NFL players hire nutritionists and in-home chefs in the offseason to maintain their physical goals and physique while the season is not going on, one Dallas Cowboys player not only became his own chef this offseason, but a cook for his teammates as well.
Born in Harrisburg, N.C., in 2000, Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks grew up in the home-cooked meals from his mother and grandmother. When he turned 12, he took over in the kitchen.
“I first started cooking and making stuff when I was around 12,” Brooks said. “I started making full meals when I was around 16. My grandmother and my mom always cooked, and when I was 12, that’s when I learned how to grill and everything. My neighbor, Ben Taylor, I was always at his house. He taught me how to grill, and now we could probably have a grill-off.”
Multiple times this offseason, Brooks has had teammates over at his house to cook for them and hang out. Whether it’s as little as a couple of his fellow receivers or as large as half of his offensive teammates coming over, he uses the opportunity to dive into his off-field passion of cooking.
“I go in my kitchen and I’m just inspired to cook something very nice every single time,” he said. “I finally got a gas stove. I got me a nice patio. I got a nice grill, it’s a third charcoal, third grill, third smoker. On the grill, I’ll do ribs and steak. On the stove, some spicy lobster pasta.”
Fellow wide receiver Jonathan Mingo said he’s been over to Brooks’ house a few times when he wants a good meal.
“It’s 10 out of 10, for real,” Mingo said.
Brooks has long had a passion for culinary arts, and said he wouldn’t mind if it became something more than just a passion when his football-playing days are over.
“That’s definitely a passion, for sure,” he said. “I’d probably do the chef thing on the side.”
Heading into his third NFL season, Brooks has hauled in 18 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown in 21 career games. He will look to make the roster once again when training camp begins in late July.
This story was originally published June 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
