Mississippi State football legend Johnie Cooks dies at 64 years old
The Mississippi State football family lost one of their all-time greats on Thursday. Johnie Cooks passed away at the age of 64 years old, the school announced in an official press release. Funeral arrangements are currently pending.
He lettered all four years at Mississippi State from 1977-1981. The former three-time All-SEC linebacker ended his prolific career fourth in school history in sacks (24.0) and fifth in total tackles (392). Cooks was the team’s leading tackler during the 1978 and 1981 seasons, tallying up more than 100 tackles each season. During his junior season, he racked up a career-high 24 tackles in a game against the Auburn Tigers.
Statement from Mississippi State AD Zac Selmon
“Johnie Cooks is without question among the very best to ever put on the Maroon and White while also standing as one of the most decorated college football players of his era,” Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “He truly did it all in his career, from earning accolade after accolade as a Bulldog, to winning a Super Bowl in the NFL. Johnie will be remembered forever in Starkville as he is cemented as an MSU legend. We extend our deepest condolences to Johnie’s family, as well as all who knew, loved and admired him.”
In 1980, Cooks guided the Bulldogs to their best season in nearly 20 years. MSU finished the season ranked No. 19 nationally with a 9-3 overall record, including a 5-1 mark in SEC play.
The team’s biggest win that season was a 6-3 victory against top-ranked Alabama. Cooks racked up more than 20 tackles in the game and he stopped the Tide with a game-clinching forced fumble. The play will forever live in Mississippi State football lore.
He landed on five All-American teams following the 1981 season, when the Bulldogs beat Kansas 10-0 in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. He also finished third place in the voting for the Nashville Banner’s SEC Player of the Year honor.
He wore No. 99 for the Bulldogs and also earned a spot in the MSU Club’s Hall of Fame in 1991. Cooks was also inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Additionally, he was also named to the Bulldogs’ Ring of Honor in Davis Wade Stadium in 2011.
In 1998, he was inducted into the SEC Football Legends class.
Johnie Cooks’ NFL career highlights
Cooks was the No. 2 overall selection by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL Draft. He played in the league for 10 years. The Leland, Mississippi native spent six years with the Colts and three with the New York Giants. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Giants in 1990. The former MSU legend played his final season in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.