Fun fact: My father asked to be released much soon than indicated here. He was working on his doctorate in chiropractics and was attending chiropractic college Monday thru Friday. Bud Grant wanted my dad to continue kicking for the Vikings so badly that he told my dad to attend chiropractor school during the week, practice on Saturday and play in the games on Sunday. Obviously, when you’re only practicing one day a week for professional games you’re going to get worse, particularly with age against you as well. Dad opened his chiropractor office in Buffalo, MN the year he retired and made 4x the salary as a chiropractor that he did in his highest paying year as a professional football player. Obviously, times have changed when it comes to players pay. Darryl Cox
A chiropractor, an NFL kicker on one of the most amazing dynasties in NFL history and the inventor of nerf football. Your dad led quite a life and is still loved in Minnesota even after his passing.
@ Darryl Cox I’ve been a diehard Vikings fan since 1968. My dad and I lived and breathed Vikings football together until his passing in 2016. Today, I am still carrying on the tradition with my son hoping we can win a SB. I have to tell you that out of all the players I’ve seen come and go on this team, your dad (Fred Cox) is one of my all-time favorite Vikings. My dad and I always got a big kick (no pun intended) whenever the announcer would say “Here comes Fred Cox out to kick a field goal from the so and so yard line”. Not sure if it was his old school, straight-on kicking style or his single bar face mask or maybe just his calm disposition, but we always enjoyed watching your dad kick. I consider him an icon and you simply can’t talk about Vikings football without mentioning Fred Cox. To me, he’s right up there with the Purple People Eaters. Just wanted to let you know how much the Viking Nation loved your dad. Also, whenever I hear the name Fred Cox, I’m reminded of those special times growing up, watching the Vikings with my dad. Those are precious memories thanks in part to your dad.
@@purpleeinstein Your kind words are much appreciated. It sounds like you and your father had a close relationship. I hope you have peace with his passing and the best of memories of him.
@@darrylcox8267 Thank you so much. Sounds like both our fathers were "one-of-a-kind" and very deserving of our love and admiration. So glad I got the chance to "chat" with you briefly.
I salute Fred Cox. Too many players try to play past the time when they should be playing. The fact that he recognized it and wanted to do what was best for the team speaks volumes about his character.
Bud had an unwritten rule. If you gave him respect, practiced and played to the best of your ability you’d get 1 extra year to figure out what you were going to do post football. Remember, few of those players made much money. Dad made less as a kicker his first year than he did as a high school teacher. If Bud didn’t like a player .. he made sure to cut them at the worst possible time for them. Darryl Cox
As bad as he was in 1977, Fred Cox made his last two field goal attempts in the NFC Championship Game. The only points the Minnesota Vikings scored that day
This video should have taken about a third of its watch time. Here are main points. 1) Fred Cox had never placekicked before head coach Norm Van Brocklin asked him to in 1963. 2) Cox led the NFL in field goals-made 3 times (1965, 1969, 1970). Between 1963-1973, he missed only three extra points in 387 attempts. 3) Over his last four seasons, his field goal percentage dropped to 61.2%, including six of 24 kicks from 29 yards or less. 4) Cox pleaded with Bud Grant to replace him (NOTE: show newspaper clippings) but Grant and general manager Mike Lynn didn’t have a replacement other than Rick Danmeier, a White Bear Lake (MN) High and Sioux Falls (SD) College grad who was on IR. 5) Cox was taking college classes to become a chiropractor, etc… during the mid 1970s 6) Soccer-style kickers were quickly replacing straight-away kickers like Cox because of they were much more accurate. 7) The 1977 games against the Falcons and Cardinals were the worst of Fred’s distinguished 15-year career.
A couple of additional points about Fred Cox from a Vikings fan. (1) He had a significant hand in several Vikings losses in 1972, Tarkenton's first year back with the Vikings, when they were a disappointing 7 - 7. (2) He was never a long range kicker, he was 2 for 25 over 50 yards, 25-51 from 40 - 49 yards for his career. If the two minute drill needed a FG, you better get him in close. 1977 was a strange year for the Vikings, they barely made the playoffs, yet made it to the NFC championship game. Tarkenton got injured, and the QB alternated between a surprisingly conservative Bob Lee and a adventurous rookie, Tommy Kramer. The aging defense was incredibly porous...
I, too am a lifetime Viking fan. At 62 years old I remember that year, and always thought Cox was overrated. Opening game against the Redskins he missed 2 field goals and Vikes lost by 3. In game 4 missed 27 yarder against Cards at end of game, and Vikes lost 19-17. Against Bears missed short FG at the end that would have tied the game instead of a loss. In the 1970 divisional playoffs against SF at home, he missed two chip shots in a 17-14 loss. There is more. He had VERY FEW clutch kicks. His success was based on being on a very good team so that hitting 60-70 percent of mostly short kicks was good enough. Nothing personal against the guy. He was highly intelligent and successful. Just not a very good NFL kicker.
@@jonirving5606 And the last several years of his career, he couldn't come near reaching the end zone on kickoffs after they moved the kickoff back to the 35. He ended up doing a lot of squib kicking, which actually worked at first when it surprised people, but once that wore off...not so much. I hate to speak ill of Coach Grant, but at times his loyalty to his guys sure seemed to hurt the team.
Aging defense was porous? Granted when 3 of your 4 d linemen have been playing longer than most linemen do today. (11 for Page, 14 for Eller, 18 for Marshall)
I was a huge Viking fan as a kid, and Fred Cox would frustrate me at times. But let's be honest, most kickers back then weren't that good, at least by today's standards. Jan Stenerud was seen as incredible when he came around, but even he messed up against the Dolphins in that 1971 playoff game, and he never has gotten over missing that short kick. Over the years, I realize it was a different game back then, and I've learned not to be so tough on Cox.
@@Nick23at63 One thing that....bothered me at the time was knowing the Vikings had to get to about the 35 yard line (when the goal posts were on the goal line) to be in good FG range, while teams with the soccer style boomers were in range maybe 10 yards sooner.
This unofficial Official Jaguar Gator 9 historian will remind everyone you made a video about how Packers Quarterback Lynn Dickey didn’t want to start anymore after a game in 1985. If I recall that video correctly Dickey expressed his wishes directly to Coach Forrest Gregg. I’m thinking if Cox told Bud Grant directly he wanted to be released the Vikings would have been more likely to do something.
Kickers were bad in the olden days. In 1977 the top FG percentage in the NFL for a kicker who played in all 14 games was 73.9%. The best kicker in 1977 would be cut today.
I remember watching Fred all through the 70s. I knew he was good and, with the wide-eyed naivete of a teenage football fanatic, I just thought he was always good. I never knew about that '77 season and his struggles. Thanks for the story.
I know this one's about the Vikings, but it somewhat amazes me how many things the Cardinals haven't done since they were in St. Louis...let alone things they haven't managed to do since their Chicago days.
Since the game against the Cardinals is being used as the example in this Fred Cox video and being a lifelong Vikings fan, I just wanted to throw in this little bit of trivia. The last time that the Cardinals won the Vikings at home was that game way back in 1977, that's 45 years ago, now this must be some kind of record on its own.
@@pronkb000 You're right, it's something like 80+ years since the Lions won at Washington. Maybe this is something good to know if you're a person who likes to gamble a little. I would have lost some money this year though as the Lions finally broke the curse.
@D M the Lions got their first ever win in the DC metro area on 9/22/2013. The previous time the Lions won an away game against that team was 10/13/1935 and the opponent was then known as the Boston Redskins
Eagles picked up Nick in mid-season, after Horst Muhlmann missed three FGs against the Redskins. BTW, Jag9 did a video on that game, as Moseley hit a 54 yard FG to help win the game. Steve Mike-Mayer was with the Lions that season.
No one had a worse season than Errol mann in 1976. He even missed 2 xp’s and a chip shot fg in the superbowl. To his credit he did bounce back in 77 and 78.
My oldest brother always said that Fred Cox wore a helmet one size too small. Cox's successor Rick Danmeier was just simply blah, just like Nick Folk is now.
The Green Bay Packers' historian was written an article on the troubles the Packers had with their kicking from 1968-1971; it would make for an interesting video if you haven't done one on that yet.
It was probably the owners decision to keep Cox. They already paid the kicker's salary and didn't want to lose the money or dig into their pockets for a replacement.
Fred Cox was a "superstar" place kicker for numerous years. True, the 77 season was not his best year, hell he was 39 then. Not exactly a youngster, but even with his own self doubt, Coach Grant was not the sort of Coach that with 1-bad year, for a kicker with so many good years, would cut him from the team.He did do this a few times with veteran players, like MLB Lonnie Warwick and DB Dale Hackbart, that both played in Super Bowl 4. But most veteran players, that played well under Grant's coaching style, stayed secure with the team, as long as they performed. I never understood that trade of an excellent defensive back like Hackbart, and a major starter on the awesome "Purple People Eaters" team, Lonnie Warwick. Fred Cox, like fullback Bill Brown, loved football and were loyal to the Viking Team and Coach.Both had good years playing under Grant's coaching. Fred's straight ahead field goal kicking won many games for Minnesota, and also prevented shutouts on a few bad games. Loyalty from Grant to Cox was the key here, something rarely seen in today's pro football. There was a ceremony recently held for those 1969 Vikings that went to Super Bowl 4. When Fred Cox name was called out over the stadium loud speaker, for his recognition as part of that Super Bowl 4 Team, the thousands of Viking fans stood up and gave Fred a rousing standing ovation! They honored Fred louder than some of the other former Super Star Viking players that were present that great day! There was a camera close-up of Fred as he struggled to stand up and acknowledge those cheers of support. He was in declining health and would pass away a few months later, but stood he did, tears in his eyes, arm upraised in appreciation and love for the fans. A scene like this one, on that very special day, would give even the casual "old NFL" fan, an understanding of Coach Grant and his relationship to his veteran players. One bad season and you would cut a Fred Cox?????
Why have we not retired his Number, yeah it was worn by Stefon Diggs, before going to Buffalo. It would be great to honor for Cox to be up there with Tarkenton, Carter, Stringer, Page, and others Randy Moss needs to be up there as well. We are doing both players an injustice by seeing players wearing these numbers. RIP Fred Cox.
Why couldn’t Fred Cox retire anytime he wanted to? This is a guy who not only invented the Nerf football. He was also a chiropractor at which he could probably make more money at that time that he could playing football. And even in these days before pre-agency, one thing a player could do is retire anytime he wanted to. Or at least that’s what I thought.
I remember one year the Cowboys desperately needed a kicker and settled on Mac Percival, who I think had been cut by the Bears. That Year two unheard of things happened: They lost to an awful Giants team and didn't make that the playoffs. Also, besides the physical acct of kicking, one has to be in sync with the long snapper and holder. Now as difficult as linebacking but if it was easy, it wouldn't be a paying job.
It's probably no more obvious a guy is washed up than it is with kickers. When you only see them half a dozen plays a game but they are the center of that play it's brutal.
I believe the Jets and Patriots had sidewinder kickers at the time, Pats' was a Limey named John Smith. BOTH Gogolaks had entered the league long before. Some say Pete being signed by the Giants precipitated the merger but that's another story. LOTS of soccer style by then and five years later only one straight ahead type.
The Cardinals were in the playoff hunt until a Thanksgiving Day game against Miami in St Louis. They got destroyed 55-14 or so, and it put them in a tailspin. They had two years in a row going to the playoffs in 1974-1975, and were explosive offensively, but turned the ball over a lot and the defense had Roger Wehrli and that was about it. This got head coach Don Coryell fired, and a long series of coaches and losing seasons ensued. They also lost to a weak Giants team after that. Win the Giants game and the Buccaneer game, and they would have made the playoffs.
No; there were many more still around in 1977: Mark Moseley (WAS), Errol Mann (OAK), Don Cockroft (CLE), Jim Turner (DEN), John Leypoldt (SEA), Jim Bakken (STL), and Tom Dempsey (HOU). By 1986, Moseley would be the only straight-toe kicker left in the NFL.
I think you mean Matt Blair (or maybe got Paul Krause mixed up with Matt Blair). Anyhow, he totaled 20 career blocked kicks, fifth all-time behind Ted Hendricks, Alan Page, Dave Whitsell, and Ron McDole (per Pro Football Journal). Capped off a fine 1974 rookie season by blocking a Bobby Walden punt in Super Bowl IX, which Terry Brown recovered in the end zone for the Vikings' only TD in a 16-6 loss to Pittsburgh. Side note on Ron McDole: His block of Fred Cox's 45-yard field-goal attempt on the last play in regulation preserved a 31-30 Redskins' win over Minnesota, the Vikes' first defeat after reeling off 10 straight wins to start the 1975 season.
Fun fact: My father asked to be released much soon than indicated here. He was working on his doctorate in chiropractics and was attending chiropractic college Monday thru Friday. Bud Grant wanted my dad to continue kicking for the Vikings so badly that he told my dad to attend chiropractor school during the week, practice on Saturday and play in the games on Sunday. Obviously, when you’re only practicing one day a week for professional games you’re going to get worse, particularly with age against you as well.
Dad opened his chiropractor office in Buffalo, MN the year he retired and made 4x the salary as a chiropractor that he did in his highest paying year as a professional football player. Obviously, times have changed when it comes to players pay.
Darryl Cox
thanks for the info
A chiropractor, an NFL kicker on one of the most amazing dynasties in NFL history and the inventor of nerf football. Your dad led quite a life and is still loved in Minnesota even after his passing.
@ Darryl Cox I’ve been a diehard Vikings fan since 1968. My dad and I lived and breathed Vikings football together until his passing in 2016. Today, I am still carrying on the tradition with my son hoping we can win a SB. I have to tell you that out of all the players I’ve seen come and go on this team, your dad (Fred Cox) is one of my all-time favorite Vikings. My dad and I always got a big kick (no pun intended) whenever the announcer would say “Here comes Fred Cox out to kick a field goal from the so and so yard line”. Not sure if it was his old school, straight-on kicking style or his single bar face mask or maybe just his calm disposition, but we always enjoyed watching your dad kick. I consider him an icon and you simply can’t talk about Vikings football without mentioning Fred Cox. To me, he’s right up there with the Purple People Eaters. Just wanted to let you know how much the Viking Nation loved your dad. Also, whenever I hear the name Fred Cox, I’m reminded of those special times growing up, watching the Vikings with my dad. Those are precious memories thanks in part to your dad.
@@purpleeinstein Your kind words are much appreciated. It sounds like you and your father had a close relationship. I hope you have peace with his passing and the best of memories of him.
@@darrylcox8267 Thank you so much. Sounds like both our fathers were "one-of-a-kind" and very deserving of our love and admiration. So glad I got the chance to "chat" with you briefly.
I salute Fred Cox. Too many players try to play past the time when they should be playing. The fact that he recognized it and wanted to do what was best for the team speaks volumes about his character.
Welcome to "Dumb Decisions", Bud Grant.
@@raymondhopwood9393 was Grant the GM??Not being sarcastic, too lazy to look it up.
Bud Grant was very loyal to his players. This may not have made him a better coach, but it certainly made him a better person.
Bud had an unwritten rule. If you gave him respect, practiced and played to the best of your ability you’d get 1 extra year to figure out what you were going to do post football. Remember, few of those players made much money. Dad made less as a kicker his first year than he did as a high school teacher.
If Bud didn’t like a player .. he made sure to cut them at the worst possible time for them.
Darryl Cox
Fun fact: He invented the Nerf football in 1972. Made way more money from it than he did playing.
Rest in Peace, Fred Cox.
He was also a license chiropractor. Made twice as much money doing this than football
Yes, for the millionth time.......thank you.
Fran Tarkenton was so good a truly terrible game for him STILL doesn't make him worse than spiking the ball into the ground on every play. Insane
Obviously, you watch a lot of JAGMAN videos. Just like I do. I loved your joke.
As bad as he was in 1977, Fred Cox made his last two field goal attempts in the NFC Championship Game. The only points the Minnesota Vikings scored that day
This video should have taken about a third of its watch time. Here are main points.
1) Fred Cox had never placekicked before head coach Norm Van Brocklin asked him to in 1963.
2) Cox led the NFL in field goals-made 3 times (1965, 1969, 1970). Between 1963-1973, he missed only three extra points in 387 attempts.
3) Over his last four seasons, his field goal percentage dropped to 61.2%, including six of 24 kicks from 29 yards or less.
4) Cox pleaded with Bud Grant to replace him (NOTE: show newspaper clippings) but Grant and general manager Mike Lynn didn’t have a replacement other than Rick Danmeier, a White Bear Lake (MN) High and Sioux Falls (SD) College grad who was on IR.
5) Cox was taking college classes to become a chiropractor, etc… during the mid 1970s
6) Soccer-style kickers were quickly replacing straight-away kickers like Cox because of they were much more accurate.
7) The 1977 games against the Falcons and Cardinals were the worst of Fred’s distinguished 15-year career.
Thanks for saving me time.
I wonder if this is the origin of the Vikings' kicker curse...
A couple of additional points about Fred Cox from a Vikings fan. (1) He had a significant hand in several Vikings losses in 1972, Tarkenton's first year back with the Vikings, when they were a disappointing 7 - 7. (2) He was never a long range kicker, he was 2 for 25 over 50 yards, 25-51 from 40 - 49 yards for his career. If the two minute drill needed a FG, you better get him in close. 1977 was a strange year for the Vikings, they barely made the playoffs, yet made it to the NFC championship game. Tarkenton got injured, and the QB alternated between a surprisingly conservative Bob Lee and a adventurous rookie, Tommy Kramer. The aging defense was incredibly porous...
I, too am a lifetime Viking fan. At 62 years old I remember that year, and always thought Cox was overrated. Opening game against the Redskins he missed 2 field goals and Vikes lost by 3. In game 4 missed 27 yarder against Cards at end of game, and Vikes lost 19-17. Against Bears missed short FG at the end that would have tied the game instead of a loss. In the 1970 divisional playoffs against SF at home, he missed two chip shots in a 17-14 loss. There is more. He had VERY FEW clutch kicks. His success was based on being on a very good team so that hitting 60-70 percent of mostly short kicks was good enough. Nothing personal against the guy. He was highly intelligent and successful. Just not a very good NFL kicker.
@@jonirving5606 And the last several years of his career, he couldn't come near reaching the end zone on kickoffs after they moved the kickoff back to the 35. He ended up doing a lot of squib kicking, which actually worked at first when it surprised people, but once that wore off...not so much. I hate to speak ill of Coach Grant, but at times his loyalty to his guys sure seemed to hurt the team.
Aging defense was porous?
Granted when 3 of your 4 d linemen have been playing longer than most linemen do today. (11 for Page, 14 for Eller, 18 for Marshall)
I was a huge Viking fan as a kid, and Fred Cox would frustrate me at times. But let's be honest, most kickers back then weren't that good, at least by today's standards. Jan Stenerud was seen as incredible when he came around, but even he messed up against the Dolphins in that 1971 playoff game, and he never has gotten over missing that short kick. Over the years, I realize it was a different game back then, and I've learned not to be so tough on Cox.
@@Nick23at63 One thing that....bothered me at the time was knowing the Vikings had to get to about the 35 yard line (when the goal posts were on the goal line) to be in good FG range, while teams with the soccer style boomers were in range maybe 10 yards sooner.
This unofficial Official Jaguar Gator 9 historian will remind everyone you made a video about how Packers Quarterback Lynn Dickey didn’t want to start anymore after a game in 1985. If I recall that video correctly Dickey expressed his wishes directly to Coach Forrest Gregg. I’m thinking if Cox told Bud Grant directly he wanted to be released the Vikings would have been more likely to do something.
Kickers were bad in the olden days. In 1977 the top FG percentage in the NFL for a kicker who played in all 14 games was 73.9%. The best kicker in 1977 would be cut today.
I remember watching Fred all through the 70s. I knew he was good and, with the wide-eyed naivete of a teenage football fanatic, I just thought he was always good. I never knew about that '77 season and his struggles. Thanks for the story.
I know this one's about the Vikings, but it somewhat amazes me how many things the Cardinals haven't done since they were in St. Louis...let alone things they haven't managed to do since their Chicago days.
Sometimes Bud Grants loyalty to veteran players becomes counterproductive to the success of the team.
Great video as always
I didn't know he was the Nerf football's creator. That had to ensure his financial security long after the Vikings finally cut him loose.
Yes royalties on every nerf football sold
Thanks for the thumbnail. I’ve been laughing my ass off for a solid 10 minutes at the thumbnail
Since the game against the Cardinals is being used as the example in this Fred Cox video and being a lifelong Vikings fan, I just wanted to throw in this little bit of trivia. The last time that the Cardinals won the Vikings at home was that game way back in 1977, that's 45 years ago, now this must be some kind of record on its own.
I don't think so, Detroit went decades and decades without ever winning at Washington.
@@pronkb000 You're right, it's something like 80+ years since the Lions won at Washington. Maybe this is something good to know if you're a person who likes to gamble a little. I would have lost some money this year though as the Lions finally broke the curse.
@D M the Lions got their first ever win in the DC metro area on 9/22/2013. The previous time the Lions won an away game against that team was 10/13/1935 and the opponent was then known as the Boston Redskins
Are we sure there wasn’t a Mike-Mayer available?
Eagles picked up Nick in mid-season, after Horst Muhlmann missed three FGs against the Redskins. BTW, Jag9 did a video on that game, as Moseley hit a 54 yard FG to help win the game.
Steve Mike-Mayer was with the Lions that season.
"Two out of three ain't bad when it comes to Meat Loaf". That's funny.
No one had a worse season than Errol mann in 1976. He even missed 2 xp’s and a chip shot fg in the superbowl. To his credit he did bounce back in 77 and 78.
There's loyalty to someone... and then there's this.
I call it R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
@@raymondhopwood9393I call it a 4 time losing coach. You think Belicheck or any of the other great head coaches would do that?
27 - 7 Cardinals. I did not go to school the next day in 7th grade
At least Tarkenton’s passer rating was higher than if you spiked the ball into the ground on every play. 🥳
AS A LIFETIME VIKING FAN NICE VIDEO THANKS FOR THE VIDEO OF WHO CALL "STEADY FREDDY" IT TOO BAD HOW HIS CAREER ENDED THIS WAY RIP FREDDY
PS THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CARDINALS TEAM AT THAT TIME, TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR PLAYOFF GAME IN '74
It's too bad that they practically forced him to market his legacy.
R.I.P. Fred.
The kicker of my youth. Thank you, Fred.
My oldest brother always said that Fred Cox wore a helmet one size too small. Cox's successor Rick Danmeier was just simply blah, just like Nick Folk is now.
That scene with the Magic Conch had me dying of laughter.
That whole scene
And yet they still won the division and got to the NFC Championship
Unlike Bruce Jenner, the Vikings wouldn't get rid of Cox.
@SkolneyVikings- I didn't know Bruce cut Cox, I thought he just placed him on wavers. Well, that explains a lot.
11:44 Vikings vs "Bengels"
Saw that, too. That game, incidentally, would be the last one for Fran Tarkenton in 1977; he broke his leg on a sack by Gary Burley.
The Green Bay Packers' historian was written an article on the troubles the Packers had with their kicking from 1968-1971; it would make for an interesting video if you haven't done one on that yet.
It was probably the owners decision to keep Cox. They already paid the kicker's salary and didn't want to lose the money or dig into their pockets for a replacement.
How does a movie "literally just open up that weekend."?
Fred Cox was a "superstar" place kicker for numerous years. True, the 77 season was not his best year, hell he was 39 then. Not exactly a youngster, but even with his own self doubt, Coach Grant was not the sort of Coach that with 1-bad year, for a kicker with so many good years, would cut him from the team.He did do this a few times with veteran players, like MLB Lonnie Warwick and DB Dale Hackbart, that both played in Super Bowl 4. But most veteran players, that played well under Grant's coaching style, stayed secure with the team, as long as they performed. I never understood that trade of an excellent defensive back like Hackbart, and a major starter on the awesome "Purple People Eaters" team, Lonnie Warwick. Fred Cox, like fullback Bill Brown, loved football and were loyal to the Viking Team and Coach.Both had good years playing under Grant's coaching. Fred's straight ahead field goal kicking won many games for Minnesota, and also prevented shutouts on a few bad games. Loyalty from Grant to Cox was the key here, something rarely seen in today's pro football. There was a ceremony recently held for those 1969 Vikings that went to Super Bowl 4. When Fred Cox name was called out over the stadium loud speaker, for his recognition as part of that Super Bowl 4 Team, the thousands of Viking fans stood up and gave Fred a rousing standing ovation! They honored Fred louder than some of the other former Super Star Viking players that were present that great day! There was a camera close-up of Fred as he struggled to stand up and acknowledge those cheers of support. He was in declining health and would pass away a few months later, but stood he did, tears in his eyes, arm upraised in appreciation and love for the fans. A scene like this one, on that very special day, would give even the casual "old NFL" fan, an understanding of Coach Grant and his relationship to his veteran players. One bad season and you would cut a Fred Cox?????
Pretty stupid. He should have just retired. Whoever they got couldn't have been any worse.
Field goals that were good in the 1960's ushered in the era of soccer Style Kickers in the 1970'
Why have we not retired his Number, yeah it was worn by Stefon Diggs, before going to Buffalo. It would be great to honor for Cox to be up there with Tarkenton, Carter, Stringer, Page, and others Randy Moss needs to be up there as well. We are doing both players an injustice by seeing players wearing these numbers. RIP Fred Cox.
When you know you ought to go, then you should go, and be allowed to go. You know you the best.
freddie kicked in real outdoor cold wintery conditions too. vikes became weak since they went indoors. no s b's for vikes since going indoors.
Why couldn’t Fred Cox retire anytime he wanted to? This is a guy who not only invented the Nerf football. He was also a chiropractor at which he could probably make more money at that time that he could playing football. And even in these days before pre-agency, one thing a player could do is retire anytime he wanted to. Or at least that’s what I thought.
He was a chiropractor not a dentist
@@nickdefries8179 thank you. I edited my original comment.
He made key 🗝️🔐 kicks that enabled the Vikings to hold their leads and momentum. Yet, they gave him the respect he deserves with his honor intact.
Nice job 👌👍
I wonder how easy it was to find a kicker in the middle of the season, off the street, in 1977.
I remember one year the Cowboys desperately needed a kicker and settled on Mac Percival, who I think had been cut by the Bears. That Year two unheard of things happened: They lost to an awful Giants team and didn't make that the playoffs. Also, besides the physical acct of kicking, one has to be in sync with the long snapper and holder. Now as difficult as linebacking but if it was easy, it wouldn't be a paying job.
It's probably no more obvious a guy is washed up than it is with kickers. When you only see them half a dozen plays a game but they are the center of that play it's brutal.
after being a viking fan for over 50 years Im about done. No sb's, never will happen, Oh and PLAY OUTDOORS!
Wasn't Fred the fishing buddy of HC Bud Grant? Might explain things.
Only the Vikings would do this no other team
Not the Browns? Pfft
I can remember when all kickers kicked straight on. There were no ‘soccer style’ kickers yet. I’m getting old!!
There were a few by then. Jan Stenerud and Pete Gogolak
I believe the Jets and Patriots had sidewinder kickers at the time, Pats' was a Limey named John Smith. BOTH Gogolaks had entered the league long before. Some say Pete being signed by the Giants precipitated the merger but that's another story. LOTS of soccer style by then and five years later only one straight ahead type.
Also, the Redskins had Pete Gogolak's brother Charlie. The Lions had Garo Yepremian, who later became famous (or infamous) with the Dolphins.
A great guy, with a great heart.
Fred Cox led the NFL in scoring for years.
Straight on kickers...
You can’t beat Father Time
17 minutes to tell a three minute story...
How can these Cardinals beat the Vikings this badly and lose to the woeful Tampa Bay Bucs in the same season?
The Cardinals were in the playoff hunt until a Thanksgiving Day game against Miami in St Louis. They got destroyed 55-14 or so, and it put them in a tailspin. They had two years in a row going to the playoffs in 1974-1975, and were explosive offensively, but turned the ball over a lot and the defense had Roger Wehrli and that was about it. This got head coach Don Coryell fired, and a long series of coaches and losing seasons ensued. They also lost to a weak Giants team after that. Win the Giants game and the Buccaneer game, and they would have made the playoffs.
Really. In the history of the team and you chose this one?
Wasn't he the last straight step approach kicker by '77?
No; there were many more still around in 1977: Mark Moseley (WAS), Errol Mann (OAK), Don Cockroft (CLE), Jim Turner (DEN), John Leypoldt (SEA), Jim Bakken (STL), and Tom Dempsey (HOU). By 1986, Moseley would be the only straight-toe kicker left in the NFL.
His successor, Rick Danmeier was a straight on kicker.
Yeah , don’t worry JG, your video will age just fine…SKOL! Cards ain’t winning this weekend.
Aged like wine
Full force of the north
Gary Anderson chip Shot Field Goal 1998 NFC Championship
Your videos are to long , jabber about nothing for most of it
Probably because he played for the Vikings
you said 'cox'. vikes were good at blocking kicks in the '70's under grant. got the pack many times. paul blair specialty.
I think you mean Matt Blair (or maybe got Paul Krause mixed up with Matt Blair). Anyhow, he totaled 20 career blocked kicks, fifth all-time behind Ted Hendricks, Alan Page, Dave Whitsell, and Ron McDole (per Pro Football Journal). Capped off a fine 1974 rookie season by blocking a Bobby Walden punt in Super Bowl IX, which Terry Brown recovered in the end zone for the Vikings' only TD in a 16-6 loss to Pittsburgh.
Side note on Ron McDole: His block of Fred Cox's 45-yard field-goal attempt on the last play in regulation preserved a 31-30 Redskins' win over Minnesota, the Vikes' first defeat after reeling off 10 straight wins to start the 1975 season.
@@bobscott2429oops. i was mixed up with former mlb player paul blair. oh well a vike blocked a lot of kicks in the '70's.
Fred cox invented the nerf football