NASHVILLE – Morgan Cox traveled to Uganda this offseason to make an impact.
Cox, long snapper for the Tennessee Titans, had also previously traveled to the country in East Africa as part of a mission trip.
It turns out the trip made an even bigger impact on Cox, and his perspective.
Nothing validated that feeling more than the lasting memory of a man living in a mud hut handing Cox a rooster as a show of appreciation for his work, and good deeds, for the people in Uganda. The man had recognized Cox from his first mission trip there in 2019.
"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."
Cox, a Collierville, Tennessee, native who played at the University of Tennessee, is heading into his 16th NFL season, and his fifth with the Titans. He's been named to five Pro Bowls, and he was recently selected as the long snapper for ESPN's All-Quarter-Century NFL team.
Cox has made it part of his life's mission to give back to others, and his mindset was put on display once again when he traveled to Uganda as part of a mission initiative team from Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis.
Cox joined 12 others on a trip to Uganda, where the group spent a week assisting those at a village and school that houses 750 kids, ranging from ages from 3 to 22. The school first started years ago under a jackfruit tree, where the school administrator taught kids in the dirt.
Now the kids have a building and desks, and a secondary school, or high school, has been an added to the elementary school.
Cox and another member of the church started a team to travel and help those in a community in Uganda. During his trip in 2019, Cox was part of a group that started the boarding school, and a medical clinic.
During the two trips, including the most recent one, the group has built desks and tables for the school, provided a water well, provided a generator for lighting while also spending time with the kids, playing sports, hosting a field day, and a craft station. The group bought a cow for them to have protein.
Many people in the area live in mud huts, with little resources.
Cox and the others went there once again to help, and for ministry work, to talk about the gospel, telling them about Jesus and faith in Christ.
"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."
Cox said the mission initiative team at the church plans to continue returning to Uganda to help those in need.
From his first trip in 2019 to his trip this offseason, Cox said he's been humbled to see the difference that has been made by those who've traveled from Memphis.
He's also aware of the appreciation from those in Uganda. He can see it on the faces of the kids, and from the gesture of the man with the rooster.
"From the kindness of his heart, he wanted to feed me, and feed our group," Cox said.
Cox said he will never forget the man's message – and the fact the rooster ended up defecating on him as he held it.
"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," Cox said.
"I would never be able to repay him for the message he gave me."
Cox, long snapper for the Tennessee Titans, had also previously traveled to the country in East Africa as part of a mission trip.
