Bryan Cox, Falcons Defensive Line Coach, Pushed Cardinals Scout at NFL Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine had its first off-field altercation Friday when Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox shoved an Arizona Cardinals scout, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.  

The incident occurred after Cox’s time ran out when interviewing a player, who was then steered by the Cardinals scout to the Arizona interview room. Cox first yelled at the scout before shoving him, though that marked the end of it, per Florio. 

Cox issued a statement to PFT regretting his behavior.

“I intend to apologize to the young man for the incident that happened last night during the interview process,” Cox said, per Florio. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

Cox has a history of letting his temper get the best of him.

In 1995, he was docked $17,500 for his involvement in a fight with Buffalo Bills players during his playing career with the Miami Dolphins. 

Two years prior, he was hit with a $10,000 fine for giving Bills fans the middle finger in response to offensive comments. The latter incident prompted Cox to sue former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, citing a “racially hostile environment” in Buffalo. 

He could also be subject to punishment by the NFL for Friday’s incident under the personal conduct policy, per Florio, depending on how aggressively the league wants to handle the situation.