Football is in the blood of Riders’ Bryan Cox Jr.

Bryan Cox Jr. knows all about the hard work and grind of professional football – he grew up around it.

The 28-year-old Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end is the son of former NFL linebacker Bryan Cox, who played in the NFL from 1991 to 2001.

“It was awesome,” the younger Cox said after a practice this week. “I’ve always been around the game. I’ve been around elite players all my life so I kind of know the process of how that works, how those guys work (and) the work they put in. So it was just one of those things. To me, it’s normal.

“I’ve been around it all my life, so I don’t really think anything about it at all honestly.”

The elder Cox was a three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection while playing with the Miami Dolphins. He also spent time with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. He won Super Bowl XXXVI with the Patriots.

“I’m very proud (to share his name). That’s my name. I’m Bryan Cox Jr.,” he said. “It is what it is. I’m always the same guy. So it’s just one of those things. I’m honoured to be who I am.”

It’s not just the name that makes the two similar.

Cox Jr. also made it to the NFL, where he spent five seasons split between the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts. He saw action in 26 games, recording 31 tackles and one sack.

“I’m fortunate and blessed,” Cox Jr. said when asked about his time in the NFL. “The statistics say that not many people make it to the NFL and not many people can sustain a career longer than 2 1/2 years. I’m blessed to have five years under my belt.

“It’s just one of those things where obviously you look back at maybe a couple of things you could have done differently here or there. But at the same time, I’m very fortunate and blessed to have played in the league for the amount of time that I did for sure.”

And does he share his father’s attitude, which saw the NFL linebacker once famously flipping off Buffalo fans as a member of the Dolphins?

“I prefer not to discuss on camera,” Cox Jr. said with a laugh.

But his time in the NFL, and football opportunities for the most part, disappeared after suffering an Achilles injury in 2021.

“(It was) tough. Achilles is always tough, very, very hard injury to come back from. Mentally (and) physically it’s everything because you have to trust yourself again to do what you were able to do in the past. So that’s one of the things — you kind of have to get over yourself,” Cox Jr. said.

After waiting two years for an opportunity, one came when the Riders gave him a call and an invite to camp.

His dad offered Cox Jr. some advice when it came to deciding what to do.

“ ‘Just go for it. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,’ ” Cox Jr. said. “Coming off injury, he knows the business. I know the business. So you’ve just got to kind of go a different route sometimes just get back to where you want to be.”

So Cox Jr. packed his bags and came up to Canada – the first time he has ever visited the country.

“I honestly had no idea what to expect. I’ve never been to Canada in my life so it was different coming here and everything like that. But it’s a great experience” Cox Jr. said. “(There are) great people up here. Everybody’s nice (and it’s a) beautiful place.

I’m learning still. I’m still learning the demographics of everything and how everything works but it’s a good experience so far.”

Cox Jr. impressed throughout camp and the pre-season, recording a sack in both games.

When the final cuts were made, his name was on the active roster, meaning he would be playing in the CFL for 2023.

“I’ve been cut before so I know how it feels to be cut and have to restart and go through that process. My heart goes out to those guys that do get cut. But at the end of the day, I felt great to make the team, so I was happy about that,” Cox Jr. said.

“It was a grind – training camp is always a grind every year. So we’ve just got to get through it, do our best to get better every day, and then come out and it’s ready for the season now.”

Cox Jr. will try to help the Riders’ pass rush disrupt Taylor Cornelius and the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

“It feels great. I couldn’t ask for more. I’m back playing football. So it’s Week 1, it’s time to go,” Cox Jr. said. “(After) two years out of the game, it’s just good to be back in the game playing the game I love, so I’m excited about that.”