Leroy Cook

Leroy Cook (born November 9, 1952 in Abbeville, Alabama) is an American football player who was a two-time All-America pick and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Cook still ranks highly in a number of categories for the Alabama Crimson Tide Football team.

Biography

Cook earned consensus All-America honors in 1975 and was a First-team All-American 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. In 1975, Cook 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 University of Tennessee game in 1975, a 30-7 Tide win. He was Defensive MVP of the 1975 Orange Bowl.^[1]

Cook was widely thought of as being a first to third round talent, but after a win Cook and Bob Baumhower celebrated and when Baumhower slapped Cook's shoulder pads in a celebratory manner, Cook's knee snapped. Cook ended up being drafted in the 10th round (290th overall pick) of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but he never played in a regular season NFL game. Cook was placed on injured reserve for the 1976 season.^[2] Cook attempted to make the team in 1977, however, he was cut during training camp and never sign another pro contract.^[3]

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.^[4] 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.

References