Morgan Cox, the Tennessee Titans' long snapper, is defying expectations at the age of 40, having just entered his 17th season in the NFL.
Cox, a Collierville native, has been in the league for 16 seasons, with 250 regular season games and five Pro Bowl selections under his belt. He still finds ways to motivate himself, saying, "I get to compete against guys that are 15 years younger than me and still be able to hang with them. That lights my fire as far as competition."
This competitive spirit has been a driving force for Cox, who has been in the league long enough to see many of his teammates come and go. However, he has found a partner in Titans special teams coordinator John Fassel, who has seen their partnership develop over the past year.
Fassel has been impressed with Cox's performance, saying, "Who is this guy?" after watching him snap, protect, and cover nine reps during a recent practice. Cox's confidence is gauged through the power of the snap and how he handles live rushers, who are usually faster and stronger after releasing the ball.
Cox's journey to becoming a long snapper began in high school, where he played for Evangelical Christian. He later walked on at the University of Tennessee, where he helped kicker Daniel Lincoln earn Freshman All-SEC honors as a sophomore.
Injuries have been a part of Cox's career, including a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee during his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, and a torn ACL in his right knee while covering a punt four years later.
Cox left Baltimore after the 2020 season and has spent the past five seasons in Nashville, two of which were paired with one of the NFL's most accurate kickers, Nick Folk.
Fassel has drawn comparisons between Cox and other veteran specialists he's coached in the past, including punter Shane Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski. They all shared similar feelings of anxiety before the season, despite their NFL tenure.
Cox's longevity has been a topic of discussion, with Fassel saying, "He's a fantastic competitor, and he still has that juice because he still has those nerves." Cox has found a way to keep himself motivated, saying, "It takes a certain amount of un-athleticism to be a long snapper."
As Cox continues his 17th season in the NFL, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the changing landscape of the league. With his competitive spirit and ability to still hang with younger players, it's clear that Cox still has a lot to offer.
The Titans are set to start their season on September 12, with Cox likely to be a key player on special teams. As the team prepares for the new season, it will be interesting to see how Cox's partnership with Fassel continues to develop.
Source: Yahoo Sports