Fletcher Cox finishes off his NFL career with a farewell to the Eagles and family by his side

The gust of air that emanated from his 6-foot-4, 310-pound frame was so strong that the NovaCare Complex auditorium sound system crackled in response. Cox laughed, then took another breath as he put his emotions into perspective for the audience in front of him.

“Today’s a very special day for me,” Cox said. “It’s a very special day for my family. It’s a very special day for this organization. And it’s a very, very special day for the city of Philadelphia.”He ended his career the same way it began. When the Eagles selected Cox in the first round, No. 12 overall, in the 2012 draft out of Mississippi State, his family made the trip from Yazoo City, Miss., to New York to support him. Twelve years and one Super Bowl ring later, more than 20 family members traveled to South Philly to attend Cox’s in-person retirement announcement.