A generation of Twin Cities sports fans may recall the football sports predictions of Sue Cox, aka Bronco, on WCCO broadcasts during the 1960s and '70s.
The model delivered predictions for professional and college football games over two decades with distinct flair — including hot pants, go-go boots and glittering evening gowns. For much of the time, she was married to Bobby Cox, the legendary University of Minnesota quarterback in the 1950s.
A 1971 article in the Minneapolis Tribune described Cox (later Platou, after remarrying) as "an attractive blonde" who used "women's intuition" when offering picks. In truth, she combed through sports stories and injury reports to prepare, and her accuracy rate was 70 to 80 percent as a result.
"Jimmy the Greek called her a lot to get some tips," said her daughter, Sarah Cox of Minneapolis, referring to the Las Vegas bookmaker and sportscaster. "She was a trailblazer in sports. She was more than a beautiful face; she was smart and she did the job well."
Susan Cox Platou of Wayzata died Christmas Day from lung disease. She was 83.
The Minneapolis Star also ran a sports column for many years called Ask Bronco, a mix of her insight and moxie. In her 1973 debut, a reader from Fridley asked if football players are "swingers."
"The only swingers I know play baseball," Bronco replied.
Born in Minneapolis on May 1, 1935, Platou exhibited an early talent for painting and sculpture, studying art history at the University of Minnesota, where she met Cox. She taught briefly at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and her artwork was featured at the Brussels World's Fair in 1958.
