Rugby league rocked by tragic death of Jordan Cox, 27
The rugby league community has been rocked by the tragic death of former Super League player Jordan Cox.
He was 27.
The Rugby League Benevolent Fund announced the tragic news on Thursday, saying Cox died “at home, in Hull, in circumstances believed to be non-suspicious and not related to the current public health situation.”
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The Englishman played for Hull Kingston Rovers and Warrington Wolves across an eight-year professional career.
He also played for Sheffield Eagles, Doncaster and York City Knights outside of the Super League.
Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell said: “Jordan’s passing has come as a terrible shock to us all at the club.
“I last saw him at a reserves game and exchanged a few jokey one liners with him.
“Jordan always seemed so full of life and spirit and his loss is so sad. I’d like to express my sincere condolences to his mum, girlfriend and family at this awful time.”
Hull FC wrote on social media: “Everybody at Hull FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former trialist player Jordan Cox.
“Jordan spent part of the 2019 campaign training with FC, featuring in two friendlies.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and former teammates at this difficult time.”
While a spokesperson for Warrington Wolves said: "Everyone at the club is deeply saddened and shocked by the news that former player Jordan Cox has passed away at the age of 27.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jordan's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Fans and players also expressed their shock on social media.
RIP Jordan Cox. So sad. Thought go out to his family & friends. 💌
— Joshua Charnley (@Joshuacharnley) April 30, 2020
Deeply sad news regarding former Hull KR, Warrington, Sheffield, Doncaster and York player Jordan Cox, who has died aged just 27. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time https://t.co/lhxJ5jdcei
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) April 30, 2020
Horrific news coming out that Jordan Cox has passed away aged just 27. Awful news, thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/XFdXH0QDEO
— Matthew Shaw (@M_Shaw1) April 30, 2020
Absolutely knocked for six by news of Jordan Cox's passing.
Had me in absolute stitches whenever I spoke to or interviewed him during his year at Wire and I'll long remember his length-of-the-field dash at Wakefield.
Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends 😢— Matthew Turner (@MattTurner_WG) April 30, 2020
Awful news about Jordan Cox, you can see from the flood of tributes coming in from friends and former team-mates how highly thought of he was. Rest in peace, thoughts with his family and friendshttps://t.co/93hVnEZwOV
— Gareth Walker (@garethwalker) April 30, 2020
It is heartbreaking to hear that Jordan Cox has passed away at the age of just 27.
The former Hull KR, Huddersfield, Warrington, York and Doncaster man passed away at his home earlier today.
We are sending our wishes to his family pic.twitter.com/TtbMEc1WFQ— Rugby League Scene (at 🏠) (@TheRLScene) April 30, 2020
What an incredibly sad piece of news. Jordan Cox, who had been playing Rugby League for Doncaster this year, has died at the age of 27. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends. RIP Jordan
— Martyn Sadler (@MartynSadler) April 30, 2020
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Jordan Cox following the tragic news of his passing.
Rest in peace, Jordan. #hcafc | #theTigers https://t.co/Us4JTEEp6L— H u l l C i t y (@HullCity) April 30, 2020
Once a Robin. Always a Robin. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BeXzbIHxmQ
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) April 30, 2020
Everyone at the club is deeply saddened and shocked by the news that former player Jordan Cox has passed away at the age of 27.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jordan's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.https://t.co/c9YTkffWif pic.twitter.com/gxvsTFBTXK— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) April 30, 2020
Jordan Cox. 1992-2020.
Forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/YnBOEXzdLj— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) April 30, 2020
Second rugby league tragedy in weeks
The tragic news also comes just two weeks after Australian player Mitch Cronin also died at the age of 27.
The former Canberra and Brisbane player reportedly died after a ‘training accident’ at his parents’ home.
The Courier Mail reported Cronin was found face-down in a backyard pool after doing a weights session.
Cronin suffered a suspected heart attack.
“It is a tragic loss of life,” Cronin’s manager Paul Hogan told the Courier Mail.
“He really was a lovely young man. Everyone in the Queensland Cup held him in such high regard.
“This has left Wynnum club, their players and myself totally shocked.
“He was an outstanding young man and my thoughts are with his family. We are all shattered.”
The hooker had stints with the Raiders and Broncos and was club captain of Queensland Cup side Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
Cronin never made it to first grade but played at the Auckland Nines for both Canberra and Brisbane.
He reportedly still had aspirations of playing first grade after captaining Wynnum-Manly in the 2019 Queensland Cup grand final.
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