Randall Cobb is bringing an intense work ethic to the Houston Texans, who signed him to a three-year contract worth $27 million.
Though the former 2014 Pro Bowler is on his third team in as many seasons, the 5-10, 192-pound wideout won’t let up in his pursuit to be a better receiver. Working hard is all he has ever known as a native of Alcoa, Tennesseee.
“My pops [Randall Cobb, Sr.], he worked at a manufacturing company there in town, and then he would come home and do handyman work for people,” Cobb told Houston media on a conference call on March 27.
The elder Cobb may have worked 14-hour days and on weekends, but he still found time to spend with his son. Cobb’s father, who worked at a car parts manufacturing plant, would take him on his side jobs installing ceramic tile floors, building basements, mowing lawns, and plowing driveways in the wintertime.
“We would go out in the little bit of snow that we got, but when we did get it we would go out and shovel snow for other families in the neighborhood that couldn’t,” Cobb said. “He’s always been one that was always working, always doing something to keep busy, and I kind of picked up that trait from him.”
The former 2011 second-round pick from Kentucky was productive for the Green Bay Packers in his 105 games over eight seasons. Cobb collected 470 catches for 5,524 yards and 41 touchdowns.
What motivated Cobb was the same visual that motivated Larry Bird, who won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics from 1979-92: the visual of someone else in the world outworking him. Cobb’s father instilled that in his son.
Said Cobb: “He always taught me if I wasn’t working, there’s somebody out there who’s working to get better than me. That’s kind of how I’ve always looked at it, and sometimes it’s been my gift and my curse.
“Some of the injuries I’ve had have come from overworking, so it’s important for me to make sure that I find that balance and continue to grow as a player.”
Cobb will have one of his greatest challenges in his 10th professional season to remake the Texans’ receiving corps now that three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins is with the Arizona Cardinals. Cobb and the rest of the receiving corps will have to develop their chemistry with two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will be playing without a true No. 1 for the first time in his four-year career.
