Just Jack Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 How many of you had a Nerf Football? https://sports.yahoo.com/nerf-football-inventor-ex-vikings-kicker-fred-cox-died-at-age-80-213703569.html 1
StHustle Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) I heard he was originally gonna name it Derf, his name spelled backwards, but was told it didn't roll off the tongue nice enough. So he dropped the D and added the N which was an ode to the NFL. Ok ok, I just made all that up. Edited November 22, 2019 by StHustle 6 1
Saxum Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 I remember Cox kicking in a game, not remember which one. It is good that all Cox do not suck like Brian. Remember the commercial with a Elway throwing the vortex version length of field. I was already 10 and playing neighbor football with adults when nerf football went out so never really played with it although we played with a round one around the yard. From what I remember it was wicked wet. Article on nerf football was original posted on Vikings website but that article is gone but this site captured it. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/974948-the-history-and-evolution-of-the-nerf-football-the-worlds-first-indoor-ball
CowgirlsFan Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 RIP. Thank you for your contribution to the game of football. 1
atlbillsfan1975 Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 Who didn’t have a Nerf? We would use them till they would start to breakdown and have chunks missing. Or take them to the pool. Never realized how they came to be. Thank you Mr. Cox and Rest In Peace. 1 1
KD in CA Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 I remember Fred Cox and those Vikings teams, but had no idea he invented the Nerf ball. Nerfs were great, we played with them for years. RIP and thanks Mr Cox!
Watching since 1964 Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 A familiar image back in the day, single bar Fred and #22 HOF safety Paul Krause... 1
CSBill Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 He deserves a statue, or at least a nice exhibit in the football HOF. More kids (and adults) have played with a nerf football than real: gym class, the beach, the backyard, playground, street, living room--bouncing off the coach, intramural s, etc. 1
DC Tom Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 8 hours ago, StHustle said: I heard he was originally gonna name it Derf, his name spelled backwards, but was told it didn't roll off the tongue nice enough. So he dropped the D and added the N which was an ode to the NFL. Ok ok, I just made all that up. Clearly, since the Nerf brand predates the Nerf football by three years. In fact, the first Nerf football was round - Cox's contribution was to invent a football-shaped Nerf football.
badassgixxer05 Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) The nerf ball with built in whistle! Throwing bombs and hearing that thing scream was amazing as a kid.. ? Edited November 22, 2019 by badassgixxer05 1
HOUSE Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 I left mine in the pool. it turned green, defective product 1
youngjebrey Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 The vortex Mach 110 was the vortex of choice in the 90s. There was always that one rat bastard who would throw the ball by the tail and rip it, ruining it for all of us at recess. 1
apuszczalowski Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 4 hours ago, CSBill said: He deserves a statue, or at least a nice exhibit in the football HOF. More kids (and adults) have played with a nerf football than real: gym class, the beach, the backyard, playground, street, living room--bouncing off the coach, intramural s, etc. Would the statute be made from the same material as the Nerf Football? Cause that would be awesome inside the stadium (not outside though)
Chandler#81 Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 Fred was a great kicker. Instrumental in 4 SB appearances. RIP, Mr. Cox. Thanks for the memories!
BuffaloBillies Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 I distinctly remember playing a game of Nerf football in my backyard with buddies growing up. I hit one kid "too hard" on a tackle and he got pissed, stood up and from about 4 feet away fired the Nerf ball at me as hard as he could. I had no time to react. Going 100 mph the ball went right in between my legs (just above the knees) and stuck there. We all started laughing and I just kept it there for a minute. Good times, good times... thanks, Nerf. 1
RyanC883 Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, badassgixxer05 said: The nerf ball with built in whistle! Throwing bombs and hearing that thing scream was amazing as a kid.. ? the Nerf screamer....what a classic. Loved that one. Although as a kid, the thing that made it scream could hurt you when catching it sometimes. RIP to Mr. Cox. As someone else said, he deserves some mention in the NFL Hall of Fame. The Nerf was/is a huge contribution to the game. Edited November 22, 2019 by RyanC883
Bobby Hooks Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, DC Tom said: Clearly, since the Nerf brand predates the Nerf football by three years. In fact, the first Nerf football was round - Cox's contribution was to invent a football-shaped Nerf football. If i'm reading this correctly. Nerf already created the squishy foam-ish ball we all know and love and Fred suggested it be made in the shape of a football? If true, "inventor" may be a stretch. EDIT: I read into it. He had a hand in making it better as well, so i'll give him his co-creator dues. EDIT x2: I read more. It turns out he did invent it and brought it to the nerf folks and they bought it. Funny enough he was a co-creator though. He and his buddy made it. Edited November 22, 2019 by Bobby Hooks
DC Tom Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Bobby Hooks said: If i'm reading this correctly. Nerf already created the squishy foam-ish ball we all know and love and Fred suggested it be made in the shape of a football? If true, "inventor" may be a stretch. EDIT: I read into it. He had a hand in making it better as well, so i'll give him his co-creator dues. He made it football-shaped, and may have used a different foam than Nerf used at the time. He deserves no small credit. But since Nerf predated his football by ten years, calling him the "inventor" of the "Nerf" football is misleading, as it makes it sound like he founded Nerf Edited November 22, 2019 by DC Tom
Bobby Hooks Posted November 22, 2019 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, DC Tom said: He made it football-shaped, and may have used a different foam than Nerf used at the time. He deserves no small credit. But since Nerf predated his football by ten years, calling him the "inventor" of the "Nerf" football is misleading, as it makes it sound like he founded Nerf Right. But in reading more about him he is the actual inventor of the football which is cool. I was initially surprised because it did make it seem a bit as though he had a hand in creating nerf. At least upon first glance. Edited November 22, 2019 by Bobby Hooks
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