Former coach, teammates remember Austin Box
Austin Box, respected and loved by friends and teammates, was remembered in his hometown of Enid, Norman and even Stillwater.
Box, an OU starting linebacker and former All-State football player at Enid, died Thursday morning after being found unconscious at an El Reno home. He was with J.T. Cobble, the son of Tom Cobble, Box's high school football coach in Enid.
Multimedia
Videoview all videos
Gerald McCoy talks about Austin Box
May 20Gerald McCoy talks about his former OU teammate Austin Box.
Brent Venables discusses Austin Box
May 19OU's defensive coordinator talks about the OU linebacker...
OU linebacker Austin Box dies after being found unconscious
May 19Austin Box, a linebacker for the University of Oklahoma...
Photoview all 24 photos
NewsOK Related Articles
Current Enid football coach Tommy Parker, defensive coordinator under Tom Cobble when Box starred for the Plainsmen, recalled his former player.
“He was a great kid, just the ultimate competitor. He's the best athlete I've ever coached but more than that, he was the best competitor I've ever coached,” said Parker, who replaced Tom Cobble as Enid's head coach in 2008. “He was a real coachable player. He thrived on being coached.
“This is a sad, sad day for Plainsmen football and the Enid community. I'm not sure if this has hit me yet. Absolute disbelief. I wish I had other words, but I don't right now.”
Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf, who played football with Box at Enid, said Box was “like an older brother” to him.
"He was the same age as my brother (OSU senior receiver Colton Chelf), and I always looked up to him,” Chelf said. “We're just in shock about this and can't believe what's going on."
More than a dozen OU football players issued condolences and tributes to Box on Twitter.
“R.I.P. Austin Box I love you bro,” wrote fellow linebacker Corey Nelson.
See our commenting and posting policy.
Sells custom golf cart accessories, wheels, enclosures, radios, etc.
www.stevescartshop.com
Prev
