Leland native Johnie Earl Cooks, a Mississippi State and NFL football star, passed away following a long illness. He was 64. Columnist Rick Cleveland recounts his remarkable life and football career.
by Rick Cleveland, Mississippi Today July 7, 2023 Some days you never forget: This was August of 1979. I was new to the Clarion Ledger where my first job was to cover Mississippi State. The football Bulldogs were in two-a-days, and it was a brutally hot, humid morning workout when I first saw Johnie Cooks, shirtless and in shorts, glistening with sweat, running through drills. Johnie Cooks will be remembered as one Mississippi State's greatest football legends.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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So strong, so fast, but the collisions had lasting effect on Johnie CooksLeland native Johnie Earl Cooks, a Mississippi State and NFL football star, passed away following a long illness. He was 64. Columnist Rick Cleveland recounts his remarkable life and football career.
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