Mariel "Cooper" Wise’s journey from Sumter, South Carolina, to professional football and beyond exemplifies resilience, excellence, and a commitment to service. Formerly known as Mariel Cooper, he rose to prominence as the #2 cornerback in South Carolina during high school and graduated with honors from the International Baccalaureate Program at Sumter High School. His football talent earned him a full scholarship to South Carolina State University, where he became a three-time Academic All-American and graduated cum laude with a degree in civil engineering. He later transferred to The Citadel, honoring his late brother Destin Wise while excelling in graduate studies and football. Mariel’s dedication led to opportunities in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before retiring in 2020.

​

In 2016, Mariel founded the #WeBall4Destin Foundation to honor his brother’s memory and empower youth. After retiring, he rebranded it as W.I.S.E Way—standing for Wellness, Inspiration, Sports, and Engineering—to expand its mission of uplifting communities. As a civil engineer, Mariel has contributed to vital infrastructure projects, specializing in roadway and traffic engineering. He also served as a high school defensive coordinator in Charlotte, NC, before moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

​

In 2023, Mariel changed his last name to Wise to honor his father, who passed away earlier that year. Now a devoted husband and father, Mariel is driven to inspire others, especially youth, proving that with faith and determination, success is within reach for anyone. Through his foundation and personal example, he strives to leave a lasting, positive impact.