Mason Cox’s iconic prescription glasses STOLEN from mail room of Collingwood ruckman’s apartment

Collingwood’s quest for September AFL glory has become blurred after the prescription glasses of ruckman Mason Cox were stolen from his apartment complex.

Cox took to social media to report the theft of the glasses on Friday, which are reportedly worth at least $3000.

‘I didn’t think this would happen to me,’ he said.

It has been reported the theft occurred at Cox’s apartment complex in Colac in the mail room.

Magpies teammate Brayden Maynard pleaded with the callous thieves to return Cox’s game day glasses.

‘I actually did see something on social media…please give them back,’ he said.

‘He needs them, we need them.’

Cox was granted AFL approval earlier this year to wear his prescription glasses on field after several eye surgeries

Collingwood play minor premiers Geelong in a blockbuster finals clash on September 3 at the MCG.

In June, Cox became an Australian citizen, capping off a remarkable sporting journey for the American import.

The 31-year-old was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and was a part of his high school’s soccer team, who won a state championship.

He graduated with an engineering degree from Oklahoma State University in 2014, where he played NCAA basketball for them – including a famous game where he successfully guarded future five-time NBA All Star Joel Embiid.

Cox was part of the third-ever AFL International Combine in the US during 2014, and after impressive results in the physical and skills testing, he flew to Australia for a second combine; where a number of clubs expressed interest in recruiting him.

The 211cm (6’11) giant was signed as a Category B rookie by Collingwood in 2015, and quickly made an impression.

Cox took to social media to report the theft of the glasses on Friday, which are reportedly worth at least $3000

At an imposing 211cm (6’11), Cox towers over many of his Collingwood teammates and AFL rivals

He spent his first season in the VFL honing his craft, before an incredible debut in the Magpies’ ANZAC Day match against Essendon at the MCG.

Cox, dubbed ‘American Pie’ by teammates and footy fans, started the contest at full forward, and minutes later kicked the first goal of the contest, with his maiden kick at AFL level.

He has been an incredible pick-up for the Pies, almost single-handedly dragging them over the line in the 2018 preliminary final against Richmond with a phenomenal three-goal performance. 

He was then one of Collingwood’s best players in their grand final defeat at the hands of West Coast, and despite some horror eye injuries over the last few years, he has been an integral member of the Magpies squad.

Cox was granted AFL approval earlier this year to wear his prescription glasses, after several eye surgeries.

The first injury followed an accidental poke in the eye by former Gold Coast Suns player Peter Wright in 2019.

While undergoing surgery to repair a torn retina, doctors found Cox had suffered the same injury in the other eye after a collision with Eagle Tom Barrass in the 2018 Grand Final.

As part of his recovery, Cox spent close to a fortnight in a dark room, with no TV.

He also couldn’t use his phone.

‘Essentially half my eye was pulled off, half my retina fell off and I had to go into hospital, sew the thing back up and was blind,’ Cox said earlier this year.

‘For about 45 minutes of every hour I was on my back staring at the ceiling unable to see for two weeks. Two weeks on my own in a dark room not being able to see anything.

‘People talk about quarantine being bad. Get a finger in the eye, sit in the house and not be able to get out of bed for two weeks and talk to me.

‘It was probably the lowest moment of my life, I will say that. But we’ve come out the other end and whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger I guess.’