House Concurrent Resolution 69

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SALUTING MISSISSIPPI'S NATIVE SON AND NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S DEFENSIVE TACKLE EXTRAORDINAIRE, FLETCHER COX, UPON A SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AND BECOMING A SUPER BOWL LII CHAMPION.

WHEREAS, from a modest upbringing in Jonestown, a close-knit community within the peripheral boundaries of Yazoo City, Mississippi, to Davis Wade Stadium in the center of Starkville's Mississippi State University campus where his domineering presence on the gridiron launched him into the national spotlight as the 12th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, and landing him in the "city of brotherly love," Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a member of the National Football Conference's Philadelphia Eagles franchise, the road to Fletcher Cox's success has not always been golden laid, but it has been destined for greatness with true grit, perseverance, discipline and determination to overcome every obstacle placed before him to soar on an eagle's wings; and

WHEREAS, a powerful and disruptive force standing at 6'4" and topping the scale at an unflinching 310 pounds, Fletcher, whose initial sports endeavors centered around basketball and track as a high schooler, eventually took to the astroturf after convincing his zealously protective mother that his golden ticket out of Yazoo City was having the pigskin in his hand, a conversation that he undoubtedly revisits on occasion after having established himself as one of the league's best defensive players, garnering three second-team All-Pro selections in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and three Pro Bowl selections in 2016, 2017 and 2018; and

WHEREAS, for any American gladiator on the 100-yard plane quest for greatness, the pinnacle of excellence lies in the ability to capture the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, but for Fletcher Cox that quest began by accumulating a total of 207 tackles and 21 quarterback sacks, a touchdown return, three interceptions, a fumble recovery during his junior and senior years of high school, 114 total collegiate tackles at MSU, first-team All-SEC honors and five field goal attempt blocks, which ignited a flame for the continual pursuit of excellence as an Eagles' standout by starting in 87 of the 93 games played, amassing 34 career sacks, 286 solo tackles, 107 assisted tackles, 12 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and two touchdowns during his six-year career with the Eagles; and

WHEREAS, a proverbial human locomotive, "Bug Eye," as he is most often referred to by his family, closest friends and teammates, anchored the Eagles' defensive line as the Eagles rose above the relentless persistence of their formidable opponents and five-time Super Bowl winners, the New England Patriots, in an astounding 41-33 win to capture the team's first-ever Super Bowl Championship in franchise history since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, to add to the team's three previous NFL Championships in 1948, 1949 and 1960; and

WHEREAS, Fletcher joins 20 fellow Mississippi State alums in the Super Bowl Club who have won Super Bowl Championship rings, and he becomes only the second Yazoo City native to win the league's highest award, joining the elite club of champion status with fellow Yazooan, former Oakland Raiders' cornerback and three-time Super Bowl Champion Willie Brown; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cox continues to reside in Mississippi, during the off-season, reinvesting his time and resources into the community he will forever call home, annually hosting The Fletcher Cox Football Camp - Powered by USA Football FUNdamentals on the campus of his high school alma mater, Yazoo City High School, among many other philanthropic endeavors in which his benevolence shines brightly; and

WHEREAS, spending his down time enjoying the great outdoors, hunting or fishing, in the shop repairing old cars or on the track with his drag racing team competing in events around the country, Mr. Cox credits much of his success and discipline to the guidance and examples set by his late oldest brother, Shaddrick, high school guidance counselor, Christie Cater, and his late high school position coach, Kyle Wallace, each of whom, besides his mother, Melissa Cox, played a critical role in inspiring him to strive for his life's dreams; and

WHEREAS, February 4, 2018, will be marked in the annals of sports and Mississippi history, as one of the country's great defensive linemen ever to take the field and one of Mississippi's most notable sport's icon, in the display of athletic prowess and refined skills of execution exhibited by Fletcher Cox and the entire Philadelphia Eagles squad; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to join the fans of professional football in recognizing a football star who has never forgotten his home state and has brought honor to Yazoo City High School, Mississippi State University and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby salute Mississippi's native son and National Football League's defensive tackle extraordinaire, Fletcher Cox, upon a successful season with the Philadelphia Eagles and becoming a Super Bowl LII Champion, and extend best wishes for continued future success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Fletcher Cox, forwarded to the President of Mississippi State University, the Principal of Yazoo City High School, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.