He was the inventor of one of the most popular children's toys of all time. He was a chiropractor. He was also an NFL superstar, who made four Super Bowl appearances playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
Born on this day in 1938, DAZN News remembers and appreciates the many talents of Fred Cox, one of the NFL's greatest kickers of all time.
Who was Fred Cox?
Fred Cox, born on December 11, 1938, in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, was an American football kicker and multi-talented individual whose legacy transcended the gridiron.
A standout athlete in high school, Cox initially excelled as a quarterback before transitioning to kicking during his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh.
Cox joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1963 and became one of the NFL's most reliable kickers during his 15-season career.
He was known for his accuracy, consistency, and clutch performances, becoming a fan favourite and a staple of the Vikings’ special teams during their dominant era in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Key stats and records
Fred Cox’s NFL career is filled with impressive numbers that underscore his importance to the Minnesota Vikings:
- Points Scored: Cox retired as the Vikings’ all-time leading scorer with 1,365 points, a record that stood for decades.
- Field Goals: He made 282 field goals during his career, cementing his reputation as one of the NFL's most dependable kickers.
- Super Bowl Appearances: Cox played in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl games during his tenure (Super Bowl IV, VIII, IX, and XI). Although the Vikings did not win any of those games, Cox’s contributions were integral to their success in reaching the championship stage.
- Durability: Cox was remarkably consistent, playing in 210 games over 15 seasons, a testament to his resilience and reliability.
Work as a chiropractor
After retiring from football in 1977, Fred Cox pursued his passion for health and wellness by becoming a chiropractor.
He attended Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minnesota and opened a successful practice where he spent years helping patients improve their physical health.
He often credited his football background for instilling the discipline and focus that helped him excel in his post-football career.
Nerf Football
Fred Cox’s most surprising and enduring legacy comes not from his football achievements but from his invention of the Nerf football.
In the late 1960s, Cox collaborated with John Mattox, a Minneapolis entrepreneur, to create a soft, lightweight football that children could safely throw and catch indoors.
The result was the Nerf football, which became a massive commercial success after being licensed by Parker Brothers in 1972.
The toy revolutionised backyard and indoor play, selling millions of units worldwide. Cox earned significant royalties from the invention and often expressed pride in its impact on generations of children.
Fred Cox passed away on November 20, 2019.
Watch the NFL 2024 season live on DAZN
NFL Game Pass on DAZN gives you access to watch every NFL game during the 2024 regular season and playoffs, including the Super Bowl. This is available worldwide on DAZN, excluding the United States and China.
That's 335 games per season, and each match is available live* and on demand and is available either as a standalone subscription - monthly or annually - or as an add-on to an existing DAZN package to customers**.
You can watch NFL on DAZN literally everywhere and in any way, via your Smart TV, smartphone, tablet, game console, and PC/MAC/laptop.
For more information and to sign up, head here now.
*In the United Kingdom, up to two Sunday games per week will air on DAZN on a 24-hour tape delay.
** Viewers in Canada can access all NFL content through their regular DAZN subscription.