Caden Cox
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 7, 1999 |
| Career information | |
| College | Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio |
Caden Cox (born June 7, 1999[1]) is an American former college football kicker at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, United States. He is the first known college football player with Down syndrome to play and score in an official game.
Early life
Various members of Cox's family had been football kickers prior to him; his father, Kevin, for Middle Tennessee, and his uncle for Virginia Tech. His older brother Zane has kicked for both Hocking College and University of Tennessee at Martin.[2]
In addition to football, Cox has a black belt in Taekwondo, several medals in swimming, and earned medals at the Special Olympics.[3][1]
Prior to attending college, he had played football at Fremont Ross High School where he had been awarded Player of the Game for his senior season homecoming game.[4]
Career
On September 11, 2021, Cox played in a football game on the team of the Hocking College Hawks against Sussex Community College, making him the first person with Down syndrome to play in as well as score a point in an NCAA or NJCAA college football game.[5][6][7] He kicked three additional goals throughout the season.[6] His jersey number was 21, alluding the extra copy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.[8]
Cox also became the first student athlete at Hocking College to join a name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract with a local business, establishing a contract with Rocky Brands in September 2021.[4][9]
On June 6, 2022, Cox inked a NIL deal with Jake Max, an apparel brand focused on people with disabilities.[10]
Cox graduated from Hocking College in December 2022.[11] As of 2026, Cox is working with the Ohio State Buckeyes football program.[12]
Lawsuit against Hocking College
In May 2023, Cox filed a federal lawsuit against Hocking College's president Betty Young[13], soccer coach Matthew Kmosko, and other unnamed employees at the college.[14] Cox alleged that Kmosko had subjected him to repeated derogatory comments and abusive verbal harassment, took his phone and looked through it without Cox's permission, as well as threatening him with a knife at the bathroom at the college's Student Center in May 2022. Following the incident, Kmosko resigned from the college and was convicted of menacing in the Athens County Municipal Court and spent at 30 days in jail.[15][16][17]
A $30,000 settlement was reached on April 4, 2024, with Hocking College giving no admission of wrongdoing and with a stipulation that Cox would never be employed by the college again.[18]
In popular culture
Cox is the focus of the upcoming 2026 film 21 Down. He is portrayed in the film by Dashiell Meier, with Ashley Judd playing his mother Mari Cox.[2][19][20][21][22]
Cox has an exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame.[1][8][10]
References
- 1 2 3 Casilli, Melinda. "Caden Cox is Kicking Down Barriers". blog.hocking.edu. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Rouser, Andrew (March 26, 2026). "Behind '21 Down': The story behind the movie". The Chimes. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Include, We (January 4, 2023). "Caden Cox: Kicking Down Barriers". We Include. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Eagles-Gazette, Contributed to the Lancaster. "Hocking College student athlete makes history". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Edwards, Jonathan (May 15, 2023). "An athlete with Down syndrome made history. Then the abuse began, suit says". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Pugh, Chris. "Hocking College kicker with Down Syndrome featured on ESPN College GameDay". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Harris, Myles (September 27, 2021). "Hocking College football player Caden Cox makes history". KEYE. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Nealon, R. J. (March 21, 2022). "The College Football Hall of Fame Honors Special Olympics Athlete Caden Cox". SpecialOlympics.org. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Harris, Myles (September 27, 2021). "Hocking College football player Caden Cox makes history". WWHO. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Dosh, Kristi. "First College Football Athlete With Down Syndrome Inks NIL Deal". Forbes. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Stoneman, Cade (March 20, 2023). "Cox turns disability into limitless possibility". Athens County Independent. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Behind the Scenes of 21 Down:". citylifestyle.com. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Ebrahimji, Alisha (May 16, 2023). "The first known athlete with Down syndrome to play in a college football game is suing his alma mater over alleged discrimination | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "A history-making college athlete with Down syndrome is suing school staff members for discrimination and assault - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. May 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ Ebrahimji, Alisha (May 16, 2023). "The first known athlete with Down syndrome to play in a college football game is suing his alma mater over alleged discrimination | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Varney, Donovan (July 15, 2024). "Attorney aims to appeal conviction by arguing for a more serious charge". WOUB Public Media. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Kington, Dani (August 30, 2023). "Defense lays out arguments in appeal of Caden Cox menacing case". Athens County Independent. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Kington, Dani (April 25, 2024). "Hocking College settles discrimination lawsuit with former football star". Athens County Independent. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Behind the Scenes of 21 Down:". citylifestyle.com. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Ashley Judd coming to Atlanta for film about football player with Down syndrome". ajc. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (January 30, 2026). "Nia Vardalos And Richard T. Jones Among Those Rounding Out Cast Of Sports Pic '21 Down' As Production Begins". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 7, 2025). "Ashley Judd To Star In Indie Drama '21 Down' Inspired By Story Of College Football Player Caden Cox". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2026.