The City of Brotherly Love said its farewells to one of its gladiators, as Philadelphia Eagles stalwart defensive tackle Fletcher Cox hung up his cleats after a distinguished career. During an emotional retirement speech on Tuesday, the Mississippi native took a moment to express his gratitude to fans, highlighting the resilience needed to succeed in the hard-nosed sports town. "The city of Philly is tough to play for. Playing in Philly, you gotta have thick skin, especially being drafted in the first round. So to the city of Philadelphia, I thank you a whole lot," Cox articulated, according to a statement obtained by A to Z Sports Philadelphia.
While Cox's career was forged on the gridiron under the watchful eye of Philly devotees, his staunchest support came from home. Raised by his mother Malissa in Yazoo City, alongside his brother "Trell" and sisters Nikki and Fantasia, family was the bedrock of Cox's personal and professional life. It was Trell who kept Fletcher focused on football and instilled in him a love for race cars, a passion that persisted until Trell's untimely death in 2015. In memory of his brother and mentor, Cox bears the name "Shaddrick" inked on his forearm—an ever-present tribute to the man he called a father figure. "We all know that my brother played a big part in being a father figure in my life," Cox said, as his family lived a tight-knit bond that not even distance could sever, with his brother, dead of a heart attack, planned the retirement event so the entire family could attend, according to details shared by the Philadelphia Eagles' official website.
Fletcher Cox's journey to and through Philadelphia was one of destiny according to his mother. "Philadelphia was one of the places Fletcher really wanted to come to," Malissa recalled. Adding that the city's vibe perfectly matched her son's gritty work ethic and determination. The defensive tackle's Philadelphia chapter added not just accolades but relationships, with his girlfriend Kaycee Marchetti becoming an integral part of his life since they met shortly after Cox was drafted. Family, now extended, remained at the core with Kaycee's declaration reflecting the shared values, "His brother who is here in spirit is his biggest motivation, I know he does this all to make him proud," Kaycee expressed in an interview outlined by the Eagles.
United in familial bonds and common purpose, the Cox cohort and Philadelphia formed a solid alliance during his time with the Eagles. This intimacy with his loved ones and the Philly fan base imbued Cox's career with a personal dimension that surpassed the typical athlete-story arc. Cox, always looking to please the Phanatics, gave his heartfelt thanks, despite the inherent toughness of the market, to the Eagles faithfuls. "The city of Philly is tough to play for," Cox shared during the retirement news conference, with a video recap courtesy of 6abc.
