Dirt
A Great Escape
Drag racing is Fletcher Cox’s escape
from the pressures of NFL stardom
By Bobby Bennett/
CompetitionPlus.com
30 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
“It’s a job, and you have to approach it that
way,” Cox said. “You’ve got to look at it as you and
me sitting here, you’ve got to look at it as a job.
I’m there from 8-5 every day. It’s not easy. I tell
anybody that. People only see what goes on – on
Sundays. The hard work is put in during the week
with meetings, and practice and workouts and
you have to be mentally focused and physically
ready to go on Sunday.”
Cox understands he’s not the only NFL player
to choose drag racing as an escape, and more
specifically, he’s the third high-profile defensive
lineman to participate in the straight-line sport.
Hall of Famer Alan Page once fielded a Super
Stocker in the 1970s, and past Oakland Raiders
draft pick Tyler Brayton raced on an amateur level.
“It’s got to be a natural fit for us big guys,” Cox
said with a smile. “They love to see stuff go fast.
A lot of people ask me if I will ever drive. Maybe
after football or something. But as of now, I think
the main focus is to be around and be involved.
A lot of people are shocked that I’m active in the
pits. I’m not one of those guys that just show up.”
Gearing up for the big game, or the big race;
in Cox’s world, they are one in the same.
“It’s about the same,” Cox said. “I think the way
we approach it is the way that it comes out. As a
team, we have to have everybody together work-
ing together. Here as a racing team, to get all this
stuff done, it’s the same way as football. You’ve got
to prepare and have everybody working together,
giving all the effort they’ve got, being here physi-
cally and mentally ready to work on the car, and
being physically and mentally ready to go play a
football game, the approach has to be the same.”
Before he became a football superstar, Cox
always wanted a spot in the drag racing world.
Football turned out to be a means to an end.
Issue 120
E
ven beastly NFL defensive line-
men need a break from beast mode.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
Fletcher Cox has a diversion which is
a beast of another sort. Cox, drafted 12th overall
in 2012 out of Mississipi State, fields a high-per-
formance Mustang driven by Shawn Ayers, and
covers the eighth-mile drag strip in four seconds.
The Cox Mustang is a bit of a hybrid, com-
bining the best of both worlds in high-perfor-
mance street and all-out drag racing vehicle. And
while the nitromethane drag racing scene is the
king of the drag racing world, the volatility of a
2,500-horsepower race car racing down the track
on drag racing-specific radial tires has made this
style of racing a hit amongst the smaller venues.
“It is really my escape,” admitted Fletcher. “I
love the game of football. Honestly. That’s what I
live for, that’s what I do. But besides the getaway
part with football, I mean it gives you that peace
of mind to actually to come drag race and give
you time off not to think about
football.
“I could be here and not think
about football, and that’s just
the way the offseason goes for
me. Normally it’s hunting, fish-
ing, and drag racing. Working
out, of course, training and
getting ready to go for the next
season. But this getaway right
now is what I look forward to
every year.”
Cox fields his share of admir-
ing drag racing fans, who seek
their opportunity to get up-close
and personal with the 6-foot,
4-inch, 320-pound NFL super-
star for either a selfie or an autograph. He’s just
fine with the interaction, even if the fan pulls for
a rival team. After all, drag racing is the bond
which seals their indirect acquaintance.
“People know I’m probably one of the nicest
people, that I don’t mind taking a second to take
a picture with somebody,” Fletcher explained. “It
doesn’t matter who it is. You never know. Espe-
cially kids. I don’t want the kids to walk up and
not be able to take a picture. Because you never
know what could happen. I just enjoy every mo-
ment of it, man. Just living and enjoy the oppor-
tunity and I’m just happy to be here.”
Drag racing, unlike the National Football
League, isn’t a job for Cox. Cox understands get-
ting to play in the NFL isn’t a right; it’s a privilege,
and rightfully one he cherishes. He’s very much
serious about his occupation both during his time
on and off the job.