Legend of 80’s Football Star Lives On

“My children continue the Cox Family Tradition”

A generation ago, La Feria football fans were cheering the outstanding performance of Elton Steve Cox Friday nights on the field. He was the acclaimed star who led the Mighty Lions to one victory after another. Cox was a 4-year letterman (1978-1982). He said he followed a family tradition tracing back to the 1950’s.

Now, this former star athlete is cheering-on his daughters from his wheelchair because he is a 2nd year victim of a deadly, progressive disease, variously known as ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or just simply–“Lou Gehrig’s disease.” It is a deadly, progressive disease that he and his family are fully versed on its implications.

He gets so much comfort when he proudly talks about his kids and their athletic accomplishments–practically all of whom have followed in their dad’s footsteps in athletics of one kind or another. “My children continue to keep alive the Cox family tradition in sports.”

Most recently is what his daughters are doing at William B. Green Middle School and La Feria High School:

Krystal .C. Cox is a 9th grade student at La Feria High School where she finds time to excel in track and field and become a major player in the power-lifting program, she loves it.

Her sister, Domonique C. Cox, is an 8th grade student at William B Green Middle School where she plays football–you heard right–she plays football. “I want to follow my dad’s footsteps,” this determined girl says quite firmly.

You know that girls playing regular football in high school is a rarity, right? “Right,” she said, adding,” I’m only the 3rd girl to play football at this school. Really?–what position do you play? “ I play ‘Nose-guard defense,” she said, adding quite proudly, “this is my first year playing, and I made 4 tackles against the Rio Hondo Bob Cats.”

How did you feel after that game? “I felt proud,” she responded. “The coaches even gave me special recognition with a MVP (Most Valuable Player) commendation. And my teammates slapped me on the back and give me ‘high-fives.’”

Her father said he is proud of what she is doing. “She wants to play Varsity football in high school and go on to College football, and maybe be the first college .lady player in history–who knows?, she might make it.”

Dad Elton Cox said the girls are keeping alive the Cox name in sports. “My father, Levelle Cox, played Varsity football with the Mighty La Feria Lions in the 1950’s. My brother, Tommy Cox, played Running Back for the Lions in the 1970’s.” He then added: “I coached the team at Santa Maria High School in the 1980’s.

“I guess football and sports are in our blood,” he said. “My three sons played football, basketball or Power-lifting while students at La Feria High School,” adding, “after high school, my son, Justin went into the U.S. Navy; Troy and Steven went on to continue their education at universities.

“We are proud of all our children and the life courses they have chosen,” said the proud father as he sat in his wheelchair–and reflected on his kids who want to follow in their dad’s footsteps.