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Mason Cox

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Mason Cox
Cox playing for Collingwood in August 2018
Personal information
Full name Mason Cox
Nickname(s) American Pie,[1] Coxzilla[2] Coxy
Date of birth (1991-03-14) March 14, 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Highland Village, Texas, U.S.
Original team(s) Oklahoma State University (Big 12)
Draft No. 60 pick, 2015 rookie draft
Height 211 cm (6 ft 11 in)[3]
Weight 110 kg (243 lb)
Position(s) Ruckman
Club information
Current club Collingwood
Number 46
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2015– Collingwood 129 (123)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the 2024 season.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Mason Cox (born March 14, 1991) is an American-Australian professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Playing as a ruckman and key forward, he first played Australian rules football in April 2014 before making his AFL debut two years later in April 2016. Cox had previously played basketball for Oklahoma State University in the Big 12 Conference and, standing at 211 cm (6 ft 11 in),[4] is the tallest player to ever be measured at an AFL Draft Combine.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Cox was born in Highland Village, a suburb of Dallas, Texas,[6] to parents Jeanette and Phil, the youngest of their three sons.[7] Cox was a student at Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, and was part of the school's state championship-winning soccer team.[8] One of his schoolmates and teammates in college was future Boston Celtics player Marcus Smart.[9]

Cox studied engineering at Oklahoma State University, graduating in 2014.[10] While studying, he started playing basketball as a hobby.[11] He initially joined the Oklahoma State Cowgirls' "scout team" to simulate Brittney Griner, former Baylor University basketball player.[12] After being noticed by former head coach Travis Ford, he was asked to join the university's men's basketball team as a walk-on.[9] He played a total of 57 minutes for the Cowboys, scoring seven points. One of his highlights while playing NCAA Division I basketball was shutting down future National Basketball Association MVP Joel Embiid while defending him.[11]

Recruitment and move to Australia

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Cox was invited to attend the 2014 US International Combine for potential Australian rules footballers, in Los Angeles in April 2014 despite knowing very little at all about the sport.[13] After impressive performances in the skills testing,[14] he travelled to Australia for a second combine and on May 30, 2014, was signed by the Collingwood Football Club.[15][16] AFL teams Port Adelaide, North Melbourne,[17] Richmond, and Fremantle were also reported as having shown interest in recruiting Cox.[10]

Collingwood selected Cox at pick 60 in the 2015 AFL rookie draft and he joined the club's list as an international rookie.[13]

VFL career

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Cox played for the Collingwood reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL) throughout the 2015 season while learning the game and improving his skills.[18]

Cox became known for his goal-kicking accuracy in the VFL, being ranked equal 10th.[19] Cox shone in the 2016 NAB Challenge pre-season series showing his ability to compete at that level kicking 2 goals against Geelong, his ability to take contested marks and average a goal a game across both the VFL and AFL drew notice.[19] Despite his strong showing at AFL level in the NAB Challenge, he was not elevated at the start of the season and returned to VFL level for the premiership season.

Cox played well in the opening two games of the 2016 VFL season[18] including a dominant performance up forward against Port Melbourne and as such earned a long-awaited call up to the AFL.[19]

AFL career

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Cox made his AFL debut on April 25, 2016, in the annual Anzac Day match against Essendon.[20] Within the first 80 seconds of the match, he took his first mark and scored the game's first goal with his first kick in the AFL.[21] Collingwood went on to win the match by 69 points.[22]

On September 11, 2017, despite interest from other clubs, Cox signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him at Collingwood until the end of 2020.[23] Cox continued his good form in the 2018 season, kicking a career-high five goals in the Queen's Birthday match at the MCG and was awarded the Neale Daniher trophy as best on ground.[24][25]

In the 2018 Preliminary Final against Richmond, he played a man-of-the-match performance, kicking three goals consecutively and taking many contested marks; Bruce McAvaney remarked "what has Collingwood unleashed" when talking about Mason's performance.[26]

In the 2018 Grand Final, he kicked two goals during the third quarter and took many contested marks while playing in Collingwood's loss.[27] He also dominated in its one-point elimination final win against West Coast in the 2020 AFL finals series.[28]

Cox received special dispensation from the AFL to wear prescription sunglasses in competition. Cox suffered a torn retina in one eye due to an accidental eye poke in a 2019 game against Gold Coast Suns and a detached retina in the other eye after an on-field altercation in the 2018 Grand Final. He has had six eye surgeries in his career. After the 2019 injury, Cox said he had to spend two weeks in bed in a darkened room for 45 minutes of each hour, calling it "probably the darkest moment of my life."[29]

Cox appeared in a 60 Minutes interview in the United States in April 2023.[30] In the interview, Cox explained how sections of the Collingwood crowd would chant "USA USA" whenever he had possession of the ball.[30]

Against the GWS Giants in Round 9, 2023, his performance won praise declared by some as a career-best kicking two goals including a set shot from outside the 50.[31]

Cox became the second American-born AFL premiership player after Don Pyke in 1992 and 1994.

Statistics

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Updated to the end of the 2024 season.[32]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
H/O
 Hit-outs
  #  
 Played in that season's 
premiership team
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T H/O G B K H D M T H/O
2015 Collingwood 46 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2016 Collingwood 46 11 17 7 50 32 82 30 24 79 1.6 0.6 4.6 2.9 7.5 2.7 2.2 7.2 1
2017 Collingwood 46 9 10 5 38 32 70 29 23 145 1.1 0.6 4.2 3.6 7.8 3.2 2.6 16.1 0
2018 Collingwood 46 24 25 12 148 89 237 119 38 164 1.0 0.5 6.2 3.7 9.9 5.0 1.6 6.8 3
2019 Collingwood 46 14 19 10 78 49 127 60 11 56 1.4 0.7 5.6 3.5 9.1 4.3 0.8 4.0 0
2020[a] Collingwood 46 11 14 2 38 31 69 35 6 34 1.3 0.2 3.5 2.8 6.3 3.2 0.5 3.0 0
2021 Collingwood 46 7 8 8 41 25 66 26 7 23 1.1 1.1 5.9 3.6 9.4 3.7 1.0 3.3 0
2022 Collingwood 46 18 7 8 112 40 152 58 36 317 0.4 0.4 6.2 2.2 8.4 3.2 2.0 17.6 1
2023# Collingwood 46 19 17 13 109 47 155 69 26 324 0.9 0.7 5.7 2.5 8.2 3.6 1.4 17.1 3
2024 Collingwood 46 16 6 6 69 51 120 46 30 237 0.4 0.4 4.3 3.2 7.5 2.9 1.9 14.8 0
Career 129 123 71 683 396 1079 472 201 1379 1.0 0.6 5.3 3.1 8.4 3.7 1.6 10.7 8

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honours and achievements

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Team

Individual

Personal life

[edit]

Cox's older brothers also now play Australian rules. Nolan played for the USAFL National Championships team Austin Crows and has also represented the USA Revolution national team.[33] Austin plays for USAFL club the Seattle Grizzlies. Mason has expressed a keen interest in promoting the game at the grassroots level in the US, visiting the US to support his brothers at the USAFL National Championships.[34]

In 2019, Cox was in a relationship with England netball international Geva Mentor.[35][36]

Cox was seeking permanent resident status on a path towards Australian citizenship to fulfill his desire to live the rest of his life in Australia, committing to a multi-year contract at Collingwood.[37] At the end of March 2020, he was accepted to become an Australian citizen.[38] Cox became a citizen of Australia on June 22, 2022, at a special citizenship ceremony at the MCG along with over one hundred conferees.[39]

References

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  1. ^ Walsh, Courtney (April 26, 2016). "Collingwood lean on their American Pie Mason Cox in Anzac Day thrashing". The Australian. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  2. ^ McGowan, Marc (April 13, 2020). "'I was so s**thouse': An American story with seven 'Coxzilla' twists". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "official Bio". Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "Mason Cox | AFL". collingwoodfc.com.au. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "afl.com.au". Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  6. ^ "Mason Cox bio, stats". espn.go.com. ESPN Inc. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  7. ^ "American Mason Cox kicks goal with first touch in AFL". Seven Sport. April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  8. ^ Magelssen, Tommy (April 26, 2016). "Former Flower Mound Marcus soccer standout, Oklahoma State basketball player Mason Cox makes debut for 'Dallas Cowboys' of Australian rules football". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Hines, Kelly (April 27, 2016). "Former OSU basketball player Mason Cox scores opening goal in Australian Football League debut". Tulsa World. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Quayle, Emma (May 21, 2014). "Could Mason Cox be the next really big thing?". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Hines, Kelly (April 28, 2014). "Does OSU's Mason Cox have a future in Australian Rules Football?". Tulsa World. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  12. ^ Hines, Kelly (February 15, 2014). "OSU walk-on Mason Cox in spotlight after big game against Texas". Tulsa World. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Don't ignore US talent, says American Pie By Ben Guthrie. May 6, 2018
  14. ^ Twomey, Callum (April 28, 2014). "Taller than Sandi: Basketballer shines at US combine". Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  15. ^ Higgins, Ben (May 30, 2014). "Collingwood snares 211cm US prodigy Mason Cox as an international rookie". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  16. ^ Chiarelli, Simon (May 30, 2014). "Magpies sign 211cm US athlete". collingwoodfc.com.au. BigPond. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  17. ^ Mason Cox’s tall order By Heath O'Loughlin for North Melbourne Football Club May 22, 2014
  18. ^ a b "Mason Cox". Inside Football. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016.
  19. ^ a b c Why Collingwood should unleash Mason Cox, Sydney’s big test by Ben Waterworth from Fox Sports April 14, 2016
  20. ^ Magpie Mason Cox's debut an American dream By Ashley Browne for afl.com.au April 25, 2016
  21. ^ Baldwin, Adam (April 25, 2016). "Collingwood's American import Mason Cox boots first goal with first kick on ANZAC Day". Fox Sports.
  22. ^ King, Travis (April 25, 2016). "Ruthless Pies smash Bombers in Anzac Day fizzer". AFL.com.au. BigPond. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Laughton, Max (September 11, 2017). "American ruck/forward Mason Cox signs new three-year deal at Collingwood, rebuffing interest from other clubs". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  24. ^ "'It is a remarkable story': American recruit Mason Cox shows why Collingwood has invested so much". Fox Sports Australia. June 12, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  25. ^ After missing out on a trophy on Monday Collingwood‘s Mason Cox did get recognition for his best game of 2022 by NCA NEWSWIRE June 14, 2022
  26. ^ Mason Cox’s incredible three-goal quarter puts Collingwood in the box seat against Richmond by Tom Morris from Fox Sports September 21, 2018
  27. ^ A Former Oklahoma State Basketball Backup Has Emerged As Australian Rules Football’s Randy Moss, Mason Cox is an Aussie national treasure—and an American sporting icon By Rodger Sherman for The Ringer September 28, 2018
  28. ^ Mihocek, Cox star as Magpies stun Eagles from ESPN October 3, 2020
  29. ^ Sullivan, Matthew (June 9, 2022). "Collingwood's Mason Cox slams 'disgusting' commentary, opens up on 'lowest moment of my life'". Fox Sports.
  30. ^ a b Texas man becomes unlikely Australian rules football star, mastering world's "roughest sport" by JON WERTHEIM April 30, 2023
  31. ^ Collingwood beat GWS by 65 points as Mason Cox stars from ABC News May 14, 2023
  32. ^ "Mason Cox". AFL Tables. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  33. ^ "Revolution narrow IC17 squad and look to Europe". Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  34. ^ Mason Cox and brother Nolan help Austin Crows win back-to-back flags at USAFL nationals Archived November 14, 2021, at the Wayback Machine thewest.com.au October 26, 2019
  35. ^ "Where Mentor goes, success follows". www.theage.com.au. May 16, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  36. ^ "Geva's no longer a mentor for Mason". The Advertiser. October 22, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via PressReader.
  37. ^ Ralph, Jon (November 7, 2017). "Mason Cox wants to become Australian citizen - and cement place in Collingwood line-up". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  38. ^ Cox, Mason [@masonsixtencox] (March 30, 2020). "Well I have been accepted to become a citizen. Only need to be sworn in. Is it possible to do that from the comfort of my living room? Also what is the best fact about Australia I should know before becoming one of y'all" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "Collingwood celebrates new Australian Citizens". collingwoodfc.com.au. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
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