Bucs Cornerback Ross Cockrell Draws Inspiration From Olympian Sister

On the verge of the biggest stage of her life, Bucs cornerback Ross Cockrell’s sister Anna knew who she was going to call on the eve of her 400-meter hurdles semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics. Her Super Bowl-winning brother got the call that night recently. She knew he had faced nerves before a life-changing event. Ross, likewise, takes lessons and inspiration from his sibling.

Anna, just a few short years ago, was battling severe depression. So much so that she said in 2019 she didn’t want to be here anymore. Since then, all she has done is become a two-time NCAA Champion, earned her master’s degree in Public Policy at Southern Cal, and delivered the Student-Athlete Graduation Speech. Quite the turnaround by any tall standards. Before practice on Monday morning, the Bucs gathered around a Giant Screen and watched the third 400-meter hurdles semi-final race.

“My sister is a tremendous personality. She’s a bright light. I just reminded her just to enjoy the process — all the work that she’s done to get to this point. Yes, it is the Olympics, yes it is a big stage, so she should be feeling nerves. She should be feeling excitement about what’s coming up. But the biggest thing that I just shared with her was to breathe, do it and let her light shine. That’s something that we talk about a lot. Kind of ‘charging up her stars’ is a little joke that we have, and I’m glad that she was able to do it.”

Anna Cockerell dug down deep and finished 2nd on a rain-soaked track to earn a place in her first Olympic Final in her first Olympics.

“She did. She gutted it out at the end. My heart was pounding through my chest. I was sweating just watching her run. It was hard for me to sleep last night, so I hope she got some rest.”

Bruce Arians then chimed in with this:

“Yeah, it was awesome, man. We were holding our breath, and it was such a close race, and she finished so strong and got in there. The whole room exploded, and really, really happy for him. We gave a game ball to mom and dad after practice because the kids are what they’re supposed to be, but mom and dad did a hell of a job raising them, that’s for sure.”

After watching his sister secure a spot in the finals, Ross and the rest of the Bucs hit the practice field. Whether it was to not be outdone or just to show the talent in the family came his way too, and he went out and snagged three interceptions during practice. Not too shabby, athletic talent is abundant in the Cockrell family. Best of luck to his sister Anna and her Olympic dreams. Ross Cockrell had this to say about his day of practice following his sister’s win.

“I was just feeding off her magic. She gave me the magic, and I was able to continue on. It’s just a great feeling and a great moment for our family.”

Keep on feeding Cockerell. Go Bucs!!