Leroy Cook
No. 98 | |
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Position: | Defensive end |
Personal information | |
Born: | Abbeville, Alabama, U.S. | November 9, 1952
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Abbeville (AL) |
College: | Alabama |
NFL draft: | 1976 / Round: 10 / Pick: 290 |
Career history | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career NFL statistics | |
Player stats at NFL.com |
Leroy Cook (born November 9, 1952) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Alabama and was a two-time All-American selection.
Early years
Cook attended Abbeville High School, where he played football and basketball. In football, he played wide receiver until his senior year, when he was switched to fullback, because the incumbent starter decided not to play that year. He was a three-time All-Wiregrass Athletic Conference and a two-time All-state player.[1]
As a senior in 1971, he contributed to the school winning the state championship both in football and basketball.
College career
Cook accepted a football scholarship from the
He earned unanimous All-American honors in 1975 and was a consensus All-American in 1974. As a freshman, in 1972, Cook made 16 tackles (three for a loss) and caused two fumbles. In 1973, he made 18 tackles and again was credited with two caused fumbles. In 1974, his first as an All-America he made 81 tackles (10 for a loss) with six of those being sacks. He was credited with two more forced fumbles and blocked three kicks
In 1975, he made 85 tackles, (14 for losses) with 9 of those sacks and caused a career-high 4 fumbles. He was named SEC Player of the Year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club. He also served as team defensive captain that season. He was National Defensive Player of the Week following the
Cook was selected to the Tide's Team of the Decade of the 1970s and he was also chosen to Sports Illustrated's All-Time University of Alabama team.[3] Cook ended his career with 200 tackles with 27 for losses and 15 sacks. He forced 10 fumbles in 4-years which still ranks high in Alabama record books. He also blocked three kicks.
Cook was widely thought of as being a first to third round talent in the
Professional career
With his professional sports career in doubt, Cook ended up being selected by the
Because he played in college as a stand-up defensive end, he was drafted to play as an
Personal life
Cook eventually returned to Alabama, and worked at O'Neal Steel in Birmingham.
References
- ^ "Leroy Cook -- a standout football player at Abbeville, Alabama -- will be inducted into Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame". Dothan Eagle. July 30, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Alabama Player Bios". University of Alabama Media Guide. 2006.
- ^ Lawrence, Andrew (August 30, 2006). "The All-time Alabama Team". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ "Pokes Harbor Super Hopes". The Commerce Journal. July 22, 1976.
- ^ "Transactions". Silver City Daily Press. July 23, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved February 19, 2020.