Fred Cox, a former kicker for the Minnesota Vikings and inventor of the Nerf football, has died at age 80.
Cox was drafted in the eighth round by the Cleveland Browns in the 1961 NFL draft. Cox was traded to the Vikings in 1962, but didn’t make the final roster. He was invited back for a tryout in 1963.
Cox played 15 seasons with the Vikings, and was the all-time leading scorer. He also played middle linebacker on the scout-team defense and running back for the offense before lining up at center.
Following his NFL career Cox became a licensed chiropractor in 1972 after receiving his degree in the practice from Northwestern Health Sciences University.
In 1972, he invented a soft football, which later became the Nerf football after he sold the idea to Parker Brothers.
Article submitted by, ScottInManhattan.
