Long snapper Morgan Cox will be joining his teammates in Hawaii after all. Cox has been named to the Pro Bowl roster, the NFL announced Tuesday.
He'll join his punter, Sam Koch, and offensive guard Marshal Yanda for a trio of Ravens representatives.
Cox was added as a "need" player by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, who will coach one of the teams after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round.
The NFL stipulates that the head coach of each team chooses a "need" player, and those players must be long snappers.
"I'm humbled by the honor of being selected as a Pro Bowl long snapper," Cox said, thanking his family, teammates and coaches.
It will be Cox's first-career Pro Bowl nod, and a well-deserved one. The six-year long snapper has bounced back from two ACL tears. He once played an entire quarter with a torn ACL, earning him the honor as the team's Ed Block Courage Award representative.
The Tennessee product competed in every Ravens game this season, snapping on all 74 punts, 40 field-goal attempts (33 success) and 29 PATs (all converted). Cox's snaps helped Koch earn his first-career Pro Bowl nod.
Cox didn't have any gaffes. He flew under the radar, which is exactly what a long snapper wants.
Since 2012, Cox has also snapped for kicker Justin Tucker, who ranks as the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history.
Tucker and Koch constantly credit the third member of their "Wolfpack," Cox, for their success. Koch tweeted that Cox is "by far, above and beyond, above any other snapper in the league based off consistency and knowledge of the game."
After receiving his Pro Bowl bid, Cox threw the praise back their way.
"Since I began with the Ravens six years ago, there are five people who have most helped me improve as a player and a professional," Cox said.
"My coaches – John Harbaugh, Jerry Rosburg and Randy Brown – have pushed me to sharpen every aspect of my game. My teammates – Sam Koch and Justin Tucker – have set a standard of excellence that I strive to uphold each day. They, along with so many other outstanding coaches and teammates, have helped make this possible. ... I'm especially proud to be a part of the most elite special teams unit in the NFL."
