Titans' Morgan Cox took 'soul-scarring trip' to Uganda

USA Today

a day ago

Tennessee Titans long-snapper Morgan Cox has been in the NFL since 2010, when he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent 10 years with the Ravens before Baltimore decided to let Cox's contract expire. In 2021, he signed a one-year contract with the Titans and has signed one-year extensions each year since. A native of Collierville, Tennessee, Cox wanted to be closer to home, and the Titans were happy to oblige.
Cox was the first ever long-snapper named to a first-team All-Pro in 2020, the first year they had a long-snapper position added to the group. He's also a five-time Pro Bowl selection, but that's not what this article is about. Cox holds one of the most under-valued positions on the field, but off the field, Cox uses his platform to help others. Specifically, Cox travels to Africa on mission trips with his church to provide aid, basic needs, and share his faith with others.
"We always describe going to Africa and spending time there as a soul-scarring trip," Cox said. "It's not an easy trip, but it's a very impactful trip to see what goes on in the world and to see how people live.
"The nature of the Christian faith is going out and making disciples of all nations, so being able to share our faith but also taking care of basic needs is the premise, being able to help the people there take care of their children."
This year, Cox and 12 other people went to Uganda and spent a week assisting a village. The village has a school that houses 750 kids, ranging in age from three to 22. When the school first started, a teacher taught the kids under a jackfruit tree, outside in the dirt. Now, the village has a building, desks, and a secondary school in addition to the elementary school.
When Cox first went in 2019, he was part of a group that started the school and also started a medical clinic. Many people in that area live in mud huts with few resources, so during the group's two trips, they have build desks and tables for the school, gave them a water well, a generator for light, and also spent time with kids and interacting with the village through a field day, a craft station, and playing sports. They also purchased a cow for the village to have protein.
The vast difference in the lives of those in third-world countries is often eye-opening for those who are used to living with things like electricity and running water.
"God has blessed me with the occupation that I have, and I've always felt a calling for helping others through it," Cox said. "So going to Uganda and being able to help a community there that is clearly in need … You know anything that you give them is going to be received well and impactful."
And the appreciation Cox and his group have received is visible on the faces of those in the village. One of the men even gifted Cox a rooster after recognizing him from the first trip.
"From the kindness of his heart, he wanted to feed me, and feed our group," Cox said. "Through a translator, the man said: Morgan, thanks for coming back to see us. We are so thankful. May the Lord bless you and your family. I would like for you to have this rooster."
"I would never be able to repay him for the message he gave me."
Cox is entering his 16th season in the NFL and his fifth with the Titans. Cox and his team plan to continue returning to Uganda to help those in need.