CANTON, OH – A Northampton County man is making a name for himself as a photographer.

Kevin C. Cox, a 1994 graduate of Northampton County High School n East, recently received the Dave Boss Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Currently a photographer for Getty Images, Cox has worked as a freelance photographer for the Daily Herald in Roanoke Rapids, The Cary News, the News & Observer and was a photographer for the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League.

The Dave Boss Award of Excellence was for his entry in the 39th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Contest. His photo, titled “Helmet Break Up.” was the Photograph of the Year for the 2006 National Football League season. He took it while working for WireImage.

The image captures New Orleans Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie breaking up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers receiver Drew Carter. The photograph was taken in the second half of the Panthers’ 21-18 win over the Saints on October 1, 2006.

The contest, sponsored by Canon, USA, is open to professional photographers ordinarily on assignment to cover NFL games. Photos taken during the 2006 season, which included Super Bowl XLI and the 2007 Pro Bowl, were eligible.

Cox’s entry took first place in the action category while K.C. Alfred of the San Diego Union-Tribune placed first in the feature category.

Judging occurred in early April by a panel of prominent photo editors and photographers.

Cox will be officially honored at the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable, part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement celebration, on August 5.

After graduation, from Northampton-East, Cox went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism.

He began his career in sports with WRAL-TV in before working with various universities across the country.

When he was hired by WireImage as a full-time staffer in 2005, he became the agency’s youngest staff photographer.

Cox has been published in Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, Golf Magazine, The New York Times and various other publications.

While working for WireImage, Cox had assignments that included the Super Bowl, the MLB American League Championship Series, the World Series, the Stanley Cup finals, NASCAR, ACC and NCAA events.