Chip Cox facts for kids
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Cox with the Montreal Alouettes in 2007
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| Born: | June 24, 1983 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| College | Ohio |
| High school | Beechcroft |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2005 | Detroit Lions* |
| 2006 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2007 | Washington Redskins* |
| 2007–2018 | Montreal Alouettes |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 2009, 2011, 2013 |
| CFL East All-Star | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Awards | 2013 - CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award 2013 - James P. McCaffrey Trophy 2022 - Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee |
| Career stats | |
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Chip Cox (born June 24, 1983) is an amazing former American football player. He was a linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for 13 seasons! He helped his team win the Grey Cup championship twice, in 2009 and 2010. In 2013, he was even named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Chip Cox is also famous for holding three CFL records for fumble returns. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022, which is a huge honor!
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Growing Up and High School
Chip Cox grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He went to Beechcroft High School. In high school, he was a star in two sports: track and football. He played football for three years. During his senior year, he was recognized as one of the best players in the state. Chip also earned a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was a junior.
College Sports Career
Chip Cox played college football for the Ohio Bobcats. He was a very busy player on the field. He made 240 tackles during his college career. He also had nine tackles that stopped the other team from gaining yards. Chip made five sacks, which means he tackled the opposing quarterback. He also caught four interceptions and knocked down 29 passes. Chip forced seven fumbles and recovered two of them. He even blocked three field goal attempts!
Chip holds the Ohio school record for the fastest 40-yard dash, finishing in just 4.37 seconds. He started every game during his second and third years. In his senior year, he played in nine games because of injuries. Chip was also a talented sprinter on the Ohio Bobcats track and field team. He placed sixth in the 100-meter dash at a big championship in 2004.
Professional Football Journey
Starting in the NFL
After college, Chip Cox was signed by the Detroit Lions in 2005. This meant he joined the team without being chosen in the main draft. He spent the training camp and preseason with them. However, he was released before the regular season started.
In 2007, Chip was signed by the Washington Redskins. But he was cut from that team too, before their training camp began.
Success with the Montreal Alouettes
After his time with NFL teams, Chip Cox joined the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). This is where he truly shined! He played for the Alouettes for 13 seasons.
In the 2009 season, Chip switched to playing as a linebacker. He quickly became one of the best. He led the CFL in forced fumbles that year. The Alouettes went on to win the 97th Grey Cup championship! The next year, in 2010, the Alouettes won the 98th Grey Cup again, making them champions two years in a row.
On November 5, 2011, Chip reached a big milestone. He made his 400th defensive tackle with the Alouettes. He was the only player in the team's history to do this!
Record-Breaking Seasons
The 2013 season was one of Chip Cox's best. He made a career-high 115 tackles, which was the most in the entire league! He also had 12 sacks and four interceptions. For his amazing performance, he won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award. He also received the James P. McCaffrey Trophy. His 115 tackles that season broke the Alouettes' single-season record.
Chip Cox holds several CFL records:
- He has the most career fumble return yards (392 yards).
- He has the most career fumble return touchdowns (6 touchdowns).
- He holds the record for the longest fumble return (108 yards in 2011).
He also holds several records for the Montreal Alouettes:
- Most career tackles (979).
- Most defensive tackles in a single season (115 in 2013).
- Most defensive tackles in a single game (13 against Calgary on July 1, 2012).
Later Career and Hall of Fame
In 2014, the Alouettes signed Chip Cox to a new three-year contract. This deal made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the CFL. He continued to play very well, making at least 65 defensive tackles in each of the next four seasons. He became a free agent in 2019.
On June 21, 2022, it was announced that Chip Cox would be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor that celebrates his incredible career and impact on Canadian football.
