Post Game:

The Journey From Youth Football to the CFL

(Moms’ Playbook Podcast ft. Cheryl Fox — mom of Miles Fox, CFL defensive tackle)

Estimated read time: 5 minutes

Season 1, Episode 1: Moms’ Playbook with Cheryl Fox”

Description

Cheryl Fox shares her journey raising a professional football player who overcame injuries, size limitations, and draft disappointment to build a career in the CFL. Learn about camps, recruiting, academics, the transfer portal, pro day, and navigating life beyond the NFL.

Where It All Started

Miles Fox started football at age eight.

Early signs: 

• Strong build

• Natural instincts

• High football IQ

He played for: 

• Collins Hill High School (Georgia)

From the beginning: 

Football was the focus

Character and leadership stood out early

The Size Conversation Nobody Wants to Have

Miles was an undersized defensive tackle.

Reality:

• Measured 6’1”

• NFL ideal closer to 6’2” or taller

What helped him: 

• Leverage

• Technique

• Fundamentals

Key lesson: Being undersized doesn’t disqualify you, but it does change the path

Camps and the “Eyeball Test”

Miles attended: 

• Nike Camps

• Rivals Camps

• SEC and Power Five camps

What mattered most: 

• One-on-one drills

• Fundamentals

• Consistency

What didn’t: 

• Hype letters

• Camp mailers

“Letters don’t mean offers.”

How Camps Were Chosen

The family strategy: 

• Identify schools of interest

• Check camp availability

• Register directly through school sites

• Pay the camp fee and show up ready

They also looked at: 

• Depth charts

• Positional needs

• Fit over name

Training Every Single Day

Miles trained year-round: 

• Daily workouts after school

• Position-specific training

• Strength and conditioning

A key reflection: He started lifting heavy too early

Cheryl believes: 

• Early heavy lifting may have impacted growth

• Drills and conditioning matter more early

• Weight training should be timed carefully

Football IQ as a Differentiator

Miles learned the game early: 

• Watched football constantly

• Played Madden to learn schemes

• Studied alignments and assignments

Why it mattered: 

• College playbooks move fast

• Knowledge earns trust

• IQ keeps players on the field

College Path: Old Dominion to Wake Forest

Miles began at: • Old Dominion University

Then came adversity: • Severe plantar plate injury

• Played through pain

• Required surgery

Portal opportunity opened: 👉 Wake Forest showed interest

Academics mattered: • Strong GPA

• Solid study habits

• Academic discipline

Injury Upon Injury

After transferring to Wake Forest: 

• Still rehabbing foot injury

• Suffered ruptured Achilles during rehab

Result: 

Missed significant time

Emotional and physical setback

Response:

• Short period of frustration

• Immediate return to work

Core belief: “Hard work pays off.”

Leadership at Wake Forest

Despite injuries: 

• Became a team captain

• Respected voice in the locker room

• Trusted by coaches

Wake Forest experience: 

• Tight-knit culture

• Strong character values

• Lifelong friendships

Pro Day and the NFL Reality

Miles trained for the draft: 

• Signed with an agent

• Prepared for Pro Day

• Tested well overall

Draft Day outcome: 

• Not drafted

• No immediate free agent signing

Factors beyond control: 

• Age due to medical redshirts

• Height

• Injury history

The Emotional Weight of Draft Day

Draft weekend was devastating.

What Cheryl witnessed: • Isolation

• Frustration

• Emotional breakdown

One moment stood out: “I worked so hard. It’s not fair.”

Understanding the Business Side

Important lesson for families: Training facilities can cost thousands

Key points: 

• Some athletes pay upfront

• Others owe money if undrafted

• Contracts must be reviewed carefully

Miles paid as he trained to avoid debt.

Looking Beyond the NFL

Opportunity came from: 

• CFL interest

• Canadian teams scouting Pro Day

Initial CFL experience: 

• BC Lions practice roster

• Limited pay

• Roster restrictions on American players

Eventually: 

• Joined Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• Played two seasons

Life in the CFL

Key differences: 

• Three downs instead of four

• Larger field and end zones

• One-yard neutral zone for defensive line

• Strict ratios of Canadian vs American players

Adjustment required: 

1. New rules

2. New pacing

3. New mindset

Character Still Matters

At Pro Day: 

• Scouts spoke with college coaches

• Character discussions mattered

Wake Forest staff advocacy: 

• Praised Miles’ leadership

• Emphasized work ethic

• Highlighted locker-room value

Lesson: Relationships matter even when measurables don’t win

The Wake Forest Family Experience

Highlights: 

• 2021 ACC Atlantic Championship season

• Close-knit parent group

• Shared tailgates and events

• Lifelong friendships

Miles’ takeaway: Wake Forest relationships lasted longer than football

Advice for Football Moms

Cheryl’s guidance: 

• Do your due diligence

• Study depth charts

• Understand the position market

• Balance athletics with academics

• Be involved, not hands-off

“You can’t just hope it works out.”

What’s in Mom’s Clear Bag?

Cheryl’s essentials: • Lipstick

• Hand lotion

• Candy

Because: 

• Games are long

• Hands get dry

• Candy calms nerves

Final Word from a Football Mom

“Hard work pays off. Do what you love, and it never feels like work”