PHOENIX — All of the Eagles are Kenneth Gainwell’s “brothers” in the team-bonding sense of the word, but only one is his blood-related cousin.
Gainwell’s grandfather is the brother of teammate Fletcher Cox’s father, and they grew up about a decade apart on opposite ends of Yazoo County, Miss. They are two of eight native Mississippians playing in Super Bowl LVII, according to Pro Football Reference. No other state can claim more.
“It’s cool to have somebody on the team who is always going to keep you in line and make sure you are doing the right things,” Gainwell told The Post. “It’s like having a big brother on the team to talk to about football.”
There might have been a collision or two during training camp when starters faced starters and Gainwell’s 23-year-old fresh legs filled in for Miles Sanders and ran into the middle of the defensive line against the 32-year-old Cox. But this isn’t a trash-talking relationship.
“I just kind of sit back and watch him grow,” Cox said. “His growth from Year 1 to Year 2, you have to respect it. When he gets an opportunity, he takes advantage of it and shows up in the game. It’s always fun watching him run around.”
Kenneth Gainwell has come alive in the Eagles’ two playoff games. Getty Images
Fletcher Cox could be playing his last game with the Eagles as he is set to become a free agent. Getty Images
Cox is a six-time Pro Bowler and soon-to-be free agent who could be playing his final game after 11 years with the Eagles on Sunday against the Chiefs. Gainwell has had his two highest rushing totals of the season in the playoffs — 112 yards against the Giants and 48 against the 49ers — and could be giving the Eagles a viable alternative to re-signing Sanders in free agency.
“He’s been doing his thing ever since he stepped foot in Philly and he’s still ready to go,” Gainwell said of Cox. “I pray I can have the career he’s had — a long career, be healthy throughout, make connections and do everything I can to become the best man I can.”
While Yazoo City, Miss. — a city of about 10,000 residents voted as the worst place to live in the country, by 24/7 Wall Street in 2020 — is listed as both players’ birthplace, Gainwell spent more time with his mother’s side of the family in Benton, Miss. He and Cox would see each other at family reunions or other large gatherings — not that they had much in common as kids with a nine-year age difference.
“We’ve become really close the last two years,” Cox said. “If he needs something, I’ve always got his back.
Their relationship strengthened over time through football — Gainwell’s Yazoo County High School’s big rival is Cox’s Yazoo City High School, located about 8 miles to the north — and Gainwell’s journey to fifth-round pick in 2021. One of the first NFL teammates he heard from? His cousin, of course.
“He called me later on draft day,” Gainwell said, “saying, ‘Congratulations. Time to go to work.’ ”
