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          NFL Nation

          Mansion that was listed for $7 million still gives John Fox ties to Charlotte

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterOct 18, 2017, 09:00 PM
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              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
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          CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Chicago Bears coach John Fox still has big ties to Charlotte, where he was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers from 2002-2010.

          Big as in the 14,866-square foot mansion he purchased for a reported $2.1 million in 2006.

          Fox, who faces the Panthers (4-2) on Sunday at Soldier Field, recently took the home adjacent to the 14th fairway at Quail Hollow Club off the market.

          The original asking price reportedly was $7 million, but it had dropped to $6 million.

          Fox and his wife, Robin, had planned to auction off much of the interior décor instead of moving it to Chicago. A portion of the proceeds were going to be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

          The Spanish-style estate includes an outdoor living room with a fire pit and a flat-screen television, a small movie theater and memorabilia from Fox’s years of coaching.

          The yard gives visitors a front-row view of major events, such as the 2017 PGA Championship and the Wells Fargo Championship.

          “I still have the house there. It didn’t sell. Right now it’s off the market,’’ Fox said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters in Charlotte. “Two of my sons are still there. My wife, Robin, is back there now. She’s spying on you guys.

          “I’m joking.’’

          Fox’s wife actually was back in the Carolinas because a friend of the family was married this past weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. She’ll be back in Chicago on Friday.

          So will some of Fox’s friends from Quail Hollow, where Fox remains a member.

          “I still have ties,’’ said Fox, who led Carolina to the Super Bowl during the 2003 season. “I still have buddies in that neighborhood. In fact, a few of them will be flying out for the game Sunday.’’

          Fox had a health scare at Quail Hollow in 2013 when he collapsed on the 14th green during a round of golf. He had surgery to replace an aortic heart valve as the result of a genetic issue he was born with.

          A few months later he was in the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

          “I weigh about 180 pounds, which is probably about 30 pounds lighter than when you saw me before,’’ Fox said. “So, naturally, I’ve got way more energy now. It was a little bit scary when it happened.’’