The Reliable Source

Mr. Cooley's Lesson Plan

Add another line to Chris Cooley's résumé: tight end, blogger, philanthropist and . . . artist?

The Redskins star is giving $25,000 college scholarships to local students -- one from each of eight area schools -- and kicked off his drive yesterday with a surprising revelation. Cooley said he planned to be an art teacher before football came calling and credits his education, not his brawn, for his success.

"It was always really important to me," he told us. "That's part of my deal." At Logan High School in Utah, Cooley was a National Honor Society student with a 3.8 GPA, along with being a top wrestler and football player. He went on to Utah State (not a football powerhouse) expecting to become a teacher or coach . . . then he played a few great games, was spotted by pro scouts and drafted by the Redskins in 2004.

Now he's a 26-year-old millionaire convincingly preaching the benefits of not being a dumb jock. Cooley began his three-day high school tour at Fairmont Heights in Capitol Heights and Montgomery Blair in Silver Spring, where he presented a $5,000 check to each principal for academic programs and then launched into his homemade PowerPoint presentation. Wearing jeans, a shirt and a zippered jacket, he told the students about how he wanted to be Denver QB John Elway growing up, the life lessons he learned from teachers and how his academic skills helped impress coaches in his pro career.

He clowned around writing the giant checks and happily posed for pictures but couldn't be coaxed by students to do a touchdown dance. "I don't dance," he told them with a grin. "I refuse."

The Redskins and the D.C. College Success Foundation are helping Cooley select the eight students who will receive the scholarships; he's responsible for raising or giving $200,000 this year, plus an additional $40K for the schools' academic programs. That's why he finally completed some of those unfinished canvases around his house -- he's auctioning off more than 20 of his paintings, drawings and pottery pieces in May for the fund.

Cooley said he hopes this will be the start of a multi-year program, and he told the kids he expects to be sticking around Washington for a long time: "I do not think I'll play for anyone else, ever."

From Soccer Fields to N.Y. Runways

Supermodel Hilary Rhoda hails from Chevy Chase; now another gorgeous young local -- 16-year-old C.J. Hancock -- has been plucked from the athletic fields for fame as a New York model. Agent Jackie Hall spotted the 6-foot-2 Hancock, a junior at Alexandria's Bishop Ireton, at a baby shower for Hall's Pilates instructor, and Ford Models quickly signed him to a contract. On Sunday, Hancock was the first model down the runway for Calvin Klein -- a huge honor for a newcomer during Fashion Week. He said he was really nervous backstage, but on the catwalk he "really enjoyed" himself. Today, he debuts as the cover boy on the trendy VMAN fashion magazine. "There's a huge buzz about this kid," Hall said.

Hey, Isn't That . . .

Val Kilmer dining at the Majestic restaurant in Old Town Alexandria on Tuesday night with an unidentified couple. Black jacket, jeans, sandals . . . with socks. (Val!) The actor had the meatloaf and what looked like vanilla cake. Also, red wine. This now adds up to a full week in the Washington area for the prospective New Mexico gubernatorial candidate. (Seems to like it here; maybe he'll consider Congress instead? Nah, movie star pols always prefer the executive jobs.)

Love, Etc.

· Grieving: Mickey Rourke, whose Chihuahua Loki, a frequent red-carpet companion, died Monday, his rep said yesterday. "The Wrestler" star and Oscar contender famously thanked his many dogs in accepting the Golden Globe last month. ("Sometimes when a man's alone, all you got is your dog.") He once reportedly walked off a movie set when they wouldn't let him have one of his dogs in a scene with him; he told the New York Times last year that he fed Loki bacon, chocolate and peanut butter: "She's 16 years old, for Chrissake! She can have whatever she wants."

· Engaged: Hayden Christensen of "Shattered Glass" and the "Star Wars" movies to Rachel Bilson of "The O.C.," reports the New York Post and People. They starred in the sci-fi movie "Jumper" together. Who knew they were dating? Both are 27.