Hall of Fame
Bryan Cox, 2008 - Cox wore Purple & Gold from 1987-90 and was a member of the 1988 Gateway Conference champions. Cox still remains the all-time leader in career blocked kicks with 10. His nine forced fumbles are good for second most in a career at Western. Cox finished his career with 323 tackles, eight interceptions, 29 tackles for loss, and three sacks. As a senior in 1990, Cox was named as an all-American after leading the team in tackles and interceptions. In 1990, Cox was selected as the Gateway Football Conference’s Defensive Player of the Decade.
Cox worked in the NFL as an assistant coach, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons and coaching in the Super Bowl. His coaching career followed a 12-year playing career in the NFL. The native of East St. Louis, IL, played in 165 regular-season career games, making 144 starts, while with the Miami Dolphins (1991-1995), Chicago Bears (1996-1997), Jets (1998-2000), New England Patriots (2001) and New Orleans Saints (2002). He won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2001 following their victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. During his career, Cox amassed 645 tackles, 51.5 sacks, 37 passes defended and four interceptions while playing a variety of defensive positions. He was named to three Pro Bowls and in 1992 was name to the All-NFL First Team by Sports Illustrated after leading the Dolphins with 127 tackles.
With all of the success on the field, Cox has always found time to give back to Western, as well as the community he grew up in. He has been a major donor to the Leatherneck football program, including a lead gift for the locker room/weight room complex. Cox also hosts charity golf tournaments and softball games with proceeds going to The Boys and Girls Club of East St. Louis.
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