Cox's career ends with a selfish mistake
Published: 1/1/2010 5:28 PM
Last Modified: 1/1/2010 5:28 PM
IRVING, Texas – Considering all that has happened this year with the Oklahoma State football program, I was not the least bit surprised when informed Friday that All-American cornerback Perrish Cox had been suspended and will not play in Saturday's Cotton Bowl Classic.
OSU had been pelted with bad news all season, so it seemed inevitable that something would happen this week.
Another injury. A suspension. Something.
Cox is believed to have committed a violation of the team curfew. Sources indicate that, yes, Mike Gundy essentially fired Cox for having missed curfew.
You have to respect Gundy for not bending rules for a star player, and you have to wonder what on earth Cox was thinking.
Apparently, it was an incredibly selfish mistake by a senior who had been lauded by coaches for having become a mature team leader.
Now, Cox's career ends prematurely and in an ugly way.
I know him well enough to know that he is devastated about this. Some guys might shrug their shoulders, move on and focus on the upcoming NFL draft. Cox is not that guy. He is a popular team member and a veteran of 36 starts. He frequently mentioned being motivated by the possibility of helping OSU reach the 10-win mark for the first time since 1988.
Cox is a native of Waco, Texas, located only about 80 miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth. Dozens of his family members and friends would have been at Cowboys Stadium to watch his career finale. They may still attend the game, but their hero won't be on the field.
In addition to being a home-run threat on punt and kickoff returns, Cox had become an exceptionally good cornerback – an elite coverage guy. Cox is the national leader in passes defended this season.
Cox's absence kicks a dent in OSU's chances of beating Ole Miss on Saturday. The Rebels have an All-SEC wide receiver in Shay Hodge. Who will cover Shay Hodge? Who on the OSU roster can provide big returns on punts and kickoffs?
Somehow, Oklahoma State reached the nine-win mark without Dez Bryant. Perrish Cox was a prominent, positive factor in holding the team together. Now, he and Bryant share the distinction of being former Cowboys.
If this injury- and controversy-riddled OSU team can beat a quality Ole Miss squad and finish 10-3, these Cowboys should be remembered as the most resilient football team in school history.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
