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MSU legend Johnie Cooks passed today at 64
Posted on 7/7/23 at 12:57 am
Posted on 7/7/23 at 12:57 am
Played LB under Emory Bellard, and was the #2 pick of the 1982 draft to the Baltimore Colts. Delta boy from Leland. RIP
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Posted on 7/7/23 at 7:18 am to Reservoir dawg
He was a beast. One of the best to ever wear the maroon and white. How many names are on Davis-Wade? Is it 6? He is one of them.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 2:13 pm to Reservoir dawg
Johnie Cooks was the more modern version of Dick Butkus without all the surly meanness. 6’4” 240lbs. Played MLB at State and he was an extremely strong agile LB who just dominated the middle of the field. Was the highest drafted player ever from State (2nd overall pick of the 1982 NFL Draft). Won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 1991 , 20-19 over the Bills.
At State he led the defense in the incredible 6-3 win over Bama in 1980 when they just completely shut down Bama’s offense all game long. Bama came into that game with a 28 game winning streak, 26 game SEC winning streak and a 22 game winning streak over State.
Pictured below is Cooks with his buddy and State teammate, the late Kent Hull who was the center for the Bills (1986-1996). Jim Kelly still says that Hull was the heart of the Bills and when Hull retired , Kelly did as well.
This photo was after Super Bowl XXV in 1991.
RIP Johnie Cooks. You will be missed. A great football player but an even greater MAN.
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At State he led the defense in the incredible 6-3 win over Bama in 1980 when they just completely shut down Bama’s offense all game long. Bama came into that game with a 28 game winning streak, 26 game SEC winning streak and a 22 game winning streak over State.
Pictured below is Cooks with his buddy and State teammate, the late Kent Hull who was the center for the Bills (1986-1996). Jim Kelly still says that Hull was the heart of the Bills and when Hull retired , Kelly did as well.
This photo was after Super Bowl XXV in 1991.
RIP Johnie Cooks. You will be missed. A great football player but an even greater MAN.
LINK
This post was edited on 7/7/23 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 7/7/23 at 3:08 pm to Godawgs4
quote:Billy Jackson at DE was incredible in that game as well. In fact, Jackson hit the Alabama QB (was it Shealy??) from behind and caused the fumble on the State 5 or so yard line to end the game. Well, seems like we lost yardage on our possession which caused some angst but we prevailed. Never wanted a game to end so much in my life.
At State he led the defense in the incredible 6-3 win over Bama in 1980 when they just completely shut down Bama’s offense all game long. Bama came into that game with a 28 game winning streak, 26 game SEC winning streak and a 22 game winning streak over State.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 3:56 pm to Reservoir dawg
Johnnie Cooks was a full grown man. Saw him play in Mississippi Memorial Stadium against us in '80.
Sorry to hear this news.
Sorry to hear this news.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 4:11 pm to Reservoir dawg
A lot of football players die way too young.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 4:25 pm to Reservoir dawg
RIP
And to the 2 down voters
And to the 2 down voters

Posted on 7/7/23 at 7:18 pm to AlwysATgr
quote:And if I recall correctly, John Bond at QB never lost to LSU in 4 years. Not sure anyone, anywhere can claim that. John might have had the biggest hands on the planet which was perfect for the triple option but had a noodle arm as a passer. And we had some really good receivers on that team.
Johnnie Cooks was a full grown man. Saw him play in Mississippi Memorial Stadium against us in '80.
Sorry to hear this news.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 7:32 pm to Diamondawg
Actually Tyrone Keys made the hit on Jacobs that caused the fumble and Billy Jackson recovered the fumble.
They penalized us half of the distance because all the players ran out on to the field. Then Bama’s NG slapped the ball when it was snapped creating the fumble that State recovered.
They penalized us half of the distance because all the players ran out on to the field. Then Bama’s NG slapped the ball when it was snapped creating the fumble that State recovered.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 7:44 pm to Godawgs4
quote:Tyrone was a hell of player, too.
Actually Tyrone Keys made the hit on Jacobs that caused the fumble and Billy Jackson recovered the fumble.
They penalized us half of the distance because all the players ran out on to the field. Then Bama’s NG slapped the ball when it was snapped creating the fumble that State recovered.
Posted on 7/7/23 at 8:59 pm to Diamondawg
That defense (1980-1981) were two of the all time best in the SEC. Glen Collins, Tyrone Keys (he later won a SB ring with the Bears-1985), Billy Jackson, Johnie Cooks, Mike McEnany (father of Kayleigh McEnany), Earnie Barnes and more.
Posted on 7/8/23 at 12:06 am to Godawgs4
quote:
That defense (1980-1981) were two of the all time best in the SEC. Glen Collins, Tyrone Keys (he later won a SB ring with the Bears-1985), Billy Jackson, Johnie Cooks, Mike McEnany (father of Kayleigh McEnany), Earnie Barnes and more.
That was as good of a defensive group as any that played in that era.
Posted on 7/8/23 at 6:36 am to Diamondawg
The Alabama quarterback who fumbled was Don Jacobs.
Posted on 7/8/23 at 8:51 am to Auburn80
quote:
A lot of football players die way too young.
The workouts and diet you have at the college and pro level aren’t particularly healthy for you long term. Especially for the bigger guys
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