Fletcher Cox explains why one former Eagles player is about to become a head coach
The Philadelphia Eagles are a franchise that has produced some amazing guys over the years. They have produced Hall of Famers, All-Pros, and even coaches. DeMeco Ryans, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, was once an Eagles player, and will now be playing his former team in the biggest game of his life. And, he […]
The Philadelphia Eagles are a franchise that has produced some amazing guys over the years. They have produced Hall of Famers, All-Pros, and even coaches.
DeMeco Ryans, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, was once an Eagles player, and will now be playing his former team in the biggest game of his life.
And, he just so happens to be one of the NFL's hottest head coaching candidates.
Ryans was a linebacker with the Eagles from 2012-2015. He played a pretty important role for the Eagles, and his role wasn't just about his play. He was a leader. That's what his former teammates remember most.
And no one remembers it better than Fletcher Cox, who played with Ryans during the entire time he was in Philadelphia.
"A natural leader," Cox said when asked what he remembers most about Ryans. "When I first got here I was in the locker room with him, he's just a natural leader. Playing with DeMeco taught me a lot. He taught me a lot about how to be a pro, how to approach things.
"DeMeco was always one of those guys, if I had problems with anything, I would go to him to lead me in the right direction, because I know, I felt like that's the type of guy he was. He wanted better for, it didn't matter who it was… he always just wanted the best for whoever. I always just looked at him as a natural leader."
Ryans will always be an Eagle because that's how this franchise is. It's a brotherhood, and a fraternity, in a way. He shaped who Cox was as a man and player, as he said in his media availability on Thursday.
Ryans will be a great head coach in the league. Everyone in the Eagles franchise, fans, and staff, is happy for the success he has had in his young coaching career so far.
But, let's hope he has no success on Sunday. It isn't personal, the Eagles just have a spot in the Super Bowl waiting for them.
Featured Image Via Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
