A lineman on the Elgin High School varsity, who graduated in 1919, Cotton went on to play three seasons at Notre Dame under Knute Rockne. He was a third—string tackle in 1920, a second—string lineman in 1921, and a starter on the 1922 Fighting Irish team that went 8—1—1. Notre Dame posted a
27—2—1 record in his three seasons there. In 1922 he blocked for the eventual legendary “Four Horsemen" (Elmer Layden, Jim Crowley, Don Miller and Harry Stuhldreher) who were sophomores at the time. He went on to play professional football in the NFL with the Rock Island Independents (1923—25), and coached at St. Ambrose College and Catholic University.