 Fletcher Cox officially became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles when he signed his contract that will last for four years.By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor
The Philadelphia Eagles are a month away from opening their training camp at Lehigh University and, like many other teams in the NFL, the Eagles are making final preparations for next month’s adventure. Those preparations include making sure all of the rookies are signed to contracts.
On Monday afternoon, Yazoo City native Fletcher Cox became the ninth and final rookie for the Eagles to sign their first professional contract. Cox’s deal makes him part of Philadelphia for the next four years.
The new collective bargaining agreement helped make the negotiations for Cox’s first contract a simpler process than in years past when rookies wouldn’t have contracts signed until after training camp.
“You don’t want to miss a few days of training camp because if you miss three days, then you’re three days behind and somebody else is ahead of you,” Cox said. “With the new CBA, it makes a lot of stuff easy and helps us get this out the way. I know my agent did a great job of negotiating. I think he did a good job in getting it out of the way so I can play football.”
Unlike many other rookies who choose to go on a spending spree when they sign that first contract, Cox is keeping his attention on football, for the most part.
“My biggest thing is just going in and playing,” Cox said. “I’ll do something really special for my mom and my siblings. Other than that, me playing football is the most important thing right now..”
On the practice field Cox has had a chance to play with the first-team defense because of some absences along the line. Cullen Jenkins missed a week to be with his wife, who was recovering from minor surgery, and because Mike Patterson still hadn't been cleared to return to practice after January brain surgery.
Even if Cox’s time with the first unit defense is short, he is fully expected to be a part of defensive line coach Jim Washburn’s four-man rotation. Cox may even see time at defensive end. However, Cox admits he still has plenty of things to get better at, which he has been doing.
“My biggest improvement was getting off the ball and just learning how to practice with the veterans,” Cox said.
From now until training camp starts Cox will be getting ready by working out at Mississippi State University, where he was an All-SEC defensive lineman.
With his contract signed, Cox will be able to report to Lehigh University July 22 for the Eagles’ training camp.
|
 Taylor Potter was one of 10 new soccer players welcomed to the East Central Community College men’s soccer team during a cookout and other activities held in early May in Decatur. Potter (standing, far right) is originally from Yazoo City and is a graduate of Mississippi School for Math and Science. He is transferring to ECCC from Delta State University. Potter was joined by fellow signees (seated, from left to right) Ryan Artman, Clint McGraw, Kennon Craft, Will Thompson, (standing) Garrett Blevins, Forest Muller, Jordan Walker, Jesse Vaughn and Russ Thompson.
 The Indians and Lady Indians finished 5-4 during the season, but gained valuable experience to make them even better next season. Members of the 2012 Yazoo City High School tennis team are, front row from left, Glinda Jones, Keisha Shelton, Marquita Powell, Tyasia Keith, Johnese Clark, Angela Hudson, Aliesha Hudson; back row from left, Kenneth Royal, James Bull, Calvin Smith, Tommy Irvine and Jalen Grayer. Not pictured were Jonquil Dent, Jaryd Price, Deon Gamble, Cornelius Battle, Brandon Purvis and Carl Tart.
 Calvin Griffin was the Yazoo City Athletic Department coach and played a big role in every sport. By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor
No matter what sporting event you attended, if Yazoo City was involved, Calvin Griffin wouldn’t be too far behind. Since graduating from Yazoo City High School in 1987, Griffin was involved in nearly every sport at his alma mater.
“He is Yazoo City athletics,” Yazoo City Athletic Director Tony Woolfolk said. “He was full of energy at every game. He’s been around for the good and the bad times.”
“He has operated my game clock for nearly 21 years,” Yazoo City basketball coach Archie Carlyle said. “I needed someone to run my clock and I looked around the gym and asked him to do it. He’s done it for me ever since.”
Sadly, the Yazoo City athletic program lost one of its most iconic coaches when Griffin passed away this past Wednesday. He was 42 years old.
-------for the rest of the story see The Yazoo Herald printed edition or subscribe to the Digital Edition.----------
 Powell McCaleb (left) and Jason Berry (right) are usually competing against one another, but will be on the same team for the State Games. By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor
When the first pitch is thrown of the baseball portion of the State Games of Mississippi June 21, many players will be playing next to a player who’d normally be in the other dugout.
For two players from Yazoo County, their rivalry will have to be put on hold as they work together to win a gold medal.
Benton Academy’s Jason Berry and Manchester Academy’s Powell McCaleb were selected to represent their schools in the upcoming baseball tournament. Yazoo City Samuel Campbell was also chosen to play in the State Games, but a previously scheduled engagement will force him to sit out this year.
The All Star Baseball tournament is scheduled to begin Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m. when District 3 faces off against District 5. The tournament is double-elimination with the eight teams broken up into two separate pools.
|
|
| 
| 
Sports