Johnie Cooks, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft and a starter on the New York Giants 1990 Super Bowl championship team, died Thursday.
He was 64.
Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, the team that drafted Cooks, confirmed the death.
Rest in peace, Johnie Cooks. ❤️🙏😢 pic.twitter.com/EdHusy8S7d
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 6, 2023
Cooks, a Mississippi native who starred at Mississippi State, went right after No. 1 overall pick Kenneth Sims in that 1982 draft. He earned all-rookie team honors that season.
Cooks went on to play six full seasons for the Colts, making 74 starts. He collected a career-high 11.5 sacks in 1984.
Traded to the New York Giants in 1988, Cooks started 23 games in three seasons for the Giants, including six starts on that Super Bowl-winning team as part of an incredible linebacking crew that included Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson and Carl Banks.
Cooks retired after the 1992 season after a year with the Cleveland Browns.
The NFL world paid its respects to Cooks and shared memories after news of his passing.
Damn. One of the original Indy colts. Johnie was a nice guy
— Jaymzdeen™ (@P3nnywize) July 6, 2023
Johnie Cooks and D.D. Lewis a couple years ago. Two of the greatest linebackers in SEC history, both on the Miss State Ring of Honor pic.twitter.com/r2tpxMbfsw
— David H Murray (@DawgsBiteMag) July 6, 2023
Rough day for the Mississippi State Football Family……Johnie Cooks fought a good battle, Rest Easy and No More Pain!!! pic.twitter.com/cCeWvqYGgJ
— David W. Turner (@coachdt48) July 6, 2023
Johnie Cooks will be remembered as a stellar athlete and a great representative for the state of Mississippi. https://t.co/huWTb5aG2B
— Magnolia Tribune (@magnoliatribune) July 6, 2023
Damn…. Johnie was my FAVORITE Colt when the team located. I tried to “Taylor” my game to his and Lawrence Taylor ( no pun intended ) #Godspeed Johnie and #ThankYou
— JonPAlbertson (@jonpalbertson70) July 6, 2023
Just watched the 1983 season opener when he recovered a fumble in OT and took it to the house to beat New England on the road. Real good Colt who got a ring with the Giants RIP.
— Eugene Viti (@eviti_viti) July 6, 2023
Very Sad. Rest Easy Captain
— chris hinton (@ChrisHint75) July 6, 2023
That is sad news. I loved 99 when I was a kid. One of may all time heroes. Rest in peace!!
— Decreased conspicuity (@SpleenFractured) July 6, 2023
