“Football Marvel.” That’s what ESPN reporter Gene Wojciechowski dubbed Caden Cox at the 2021 ESPN College GameDay after Caden made history as the first individual with Down syndrome to play and score in a NCAA or NJCAA College football game.

After scoring the point for Ohio’s Hocking College, Caden finished the season with 100% accuracy as one of the team’s Kickers. Athletic success isn’t new to the freshman, though. As a student at York High School in Virginia, Caden earned varsity letters in both football and track and field. He also participated on the swim and dive team, rallied school spirit playing percussion in the marching band, and earned a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. His hard work in and out of uniform, coupled with his passion for advocacy and inclusion, inspired York High School’s first Inclusion Club, Falcons Together. In 2020, the Virginia Division of Career Development and Transition recognized his success and named him the Virginia Youth of the Year.

Caden is currently working towards his Associate Degree in Therapeutic Performing Arts & Assistive Animal Studies at Hocking College. He has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International College Honors Society, as well as the National Society of Leadership & Success and International Thespian Society. When he’s not on the football field, Caden participates in Special Olympics where he has earned eight gold medals as a swimmer and raised over $4,000 to support the organization.

Since making history last fall, Caden has become a local celebrity. He has not one, but two NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Contracts as Brand Ambassadors for Rocky Boots and BALMSHOOT Lip Balm. He has also amassed over 300,000 followers on TikTok as a dance creator. Most recently, Caden and his brother Zane founded a street wear clothing brand, Messaging Apparel Co. Their line, “Family 21”, advocates for inclusion and spreads the good word that using your abilities leads to endless possibilities for ALL!