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Johnie Cooks
Johnie Earl Cooks (November 23, 1958 – July 6, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Cooks was selected by the Baltimore Colts as the second overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft. He played from 1982 to 1991 for the Colts, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the Giants when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19 in Super Bowl XXV. Cooks played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Johnie Cooks was born on November 23, 1958, in Leland, Mississippi. Cooks was one of nine children and the son of a sharecropper. He was given his first opportunity to play football after his mother borrowed five dollars from her land owner to pay for his physical. At Leland High School, Cooks starred on the football team, basketball team, baseball team, and competed on the track and field team.
On the football team, Cooks played both offensive and defensive line. As a senior, he was named to the 1976 All-Delta Conference team and earned a spot on the 1977 Mississippi High School All-Star game. Representing the North team, he was switched to linebacker and led the game in tackling with seven tackles and six assists.
At Mississippi State, Cooks was a four-year letterman in football and graduated with a degree in physical education. As a freshman in 1977, Cooks appeared in all 11 games and recorded one interception. The Bulldogs had started the 1977 season ranked at #18 in the AP poll, but after suffering losses to #13 Florida and #16 Kentucky, they dropped from the top-25 rankings. Cooks' interception came in the penultimate game of the season, where he picked off LSU quarterback John Crane. Mississippi State finished the 1977 season at 5–6, with a 2–4 record against Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents.
In 1978, Cooks led Mississippi State with 73 tackles, 42 assists and 14 tackles for loss. He was named to the AP All-SEC Second-Team. The Bulldogs went 6–5 on the season, but recorded upsets against #15 Florida State and #17 LSU.
Prior to the 1979 season, Cooks was listed on several pre-season All-America watch lists. However, Cooks suffered a knee injury late in the season opener against Memphis State, which sidelined him for the rest of the 1979 season. Cooks was granted a hardship redshirt status, meaning the 1979 season did not count toward his college eligibility.
In 1980, Cooks returned from his injury and regained his starting linebacker position. He was named to the All-SEC First-Team and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9–3 record and #19 ranking in the final AP poll. That year he turned in game-changing performances in back-to-back weeks. Against Auburn, Cooks recorded a career-high 24 tackles as Mississippi State won 24–20. The next week against #1 ranked Alabama, Cooks again had a 20-tackle performance and forced the game-clinching fumble near the goal line to secure the 6–3 upset. Mississippi State earned a spot in the 1980 Sun Bowl against #9 Nebraska that ended in a 17–31 defeat.
In his 1981 senior season, Cooks remained as a pillar of the Mississippi State defense. He again led the Bulldogs in tackles and added an interception in a 28–7 win against Florida. In a week six 14–10 upset of #13 ranked Miami (FL), Cooks recorded seven tackles, six assisted tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. He was named the AP SEC Lineman of the Week. Cooks was named to the 1981 ALL-SEC First-Team and was a 1981 All-American. The Bulldogs went 8-4 and faced Kansas in the 1981 Hall of Fame Classic. Cooks and the Mississippi State defense held Kansas to 35 rushing yards, and won 10–0. Cooks was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the game.
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Johnie Cooks
Johnie Earl Cooks (November 23, 1958 – July 6, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Cooks was selected by the Baltimore Colts as the second overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft. He played from 1982 to 1991 for the Colts, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the Giants when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19 in Super Bowl XXV. Cooks played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Johnie Cooks was born on November 23, 1958, in Leland, Mississippi. Cooks was one of nine children and the son of a sharecropper. He was given his first opportunity to play football after his mother borrowed five dollars from her land owner to pay for his physical. At Leland High School, Cooks starred on the football team, basketball team, baseball team, and competed on the track and field team.
On the football team, Cooks played both offensive and defensive line. As a senior, he was named to the 1976 All-Delta Conference team and earned a spot on the 1977 Mississippi High School All-Star game. Representing the North team, he was switched to linebacker and led the game in tackling with seven tackles and six assists.
At Mississippi State, Cooks was a four-year letterman in football and graduated with a degree in physical education. As a freshman in 1977, Cooks appeared in all 11 games and recorded one interception. The Bulldogs had started the 1977 season ranked at #18 in the AP poll, but after suffering losses to #13 Florida and #16 Kentucky, they dropped from the top-25 rankings. Cooks' interception came in the penultimate game of the season, where he picked off LSU quarterback John Crane. Mississippi State finished the 1977 season at 5–6, with a 2–4 record against Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents.
In 1978, Cooks led Mississippi State with 73 tackles, 42 assists and 14 tackles for loss. He was named to the AP All-SEC Second-Team. The Bulldogs went 6–5 on the season, but recorded upsets against #15 Florida State and #17 LSU.
Prior to the 1979 season, Cooks was listed on several pre-season All-America watch lists. However, Cooks suffered a knee injury late in the season opener against Memphis State, which sidelined him for the rest of the 1979 season. Cooks was granted a hardship redshirt status, meaning the 1979 season did not count toward his college eligibility.
In 1980, Cooks returned from his injury and regained his starting linebacker position. He was named to the All-SEC First-Team and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9–3 record and #19 ranking in the final AP poll. That year he turned in game-changing performances in back-to-back weeks. Against Auburn, Cooks recorded a career-high 24 tackles as Mississippi State won 24–20. The next week against #1 ranked Alabama, Cooks again had a 20-tackle performance and forced the game-clinching fumble near the goal line to secure the 6–3 upset. Mississippi State earned a spot in the 1980 Sun Bowl against #9 Nebraska that ended in a 17–31 defeat.
In his 1981 senior season, Cooks remained as a pillar of the Mississippi State defense. He again led the Bulldogs in tackles and added an interception in a 28–7 win against Florida. In a week six 14–10 upset of #13 ranked Miami (FL), Cooks recorded seven tackles, six assisted tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. He was named the AP SEC Lineman of the Week. Cooks was named to the 1981 ALL-SEC First-Team and was a 1981 All-American. The Bulldogs went 8-4 and faced Kansas in the 1981 Hall of Fame Classic. Cooks and the Mississippi State defense held Kansas to 35 rushing yards, and won 10–0. Cooks was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the game.