Cooks

Mississippi State's Johnie Cooks was one of 12 former football players honored during Southeastern Conference Championship football game festivities in Atlanta last December.

Cooks, an All-America linebacker for the Bulldogs, was recognized for his contributions to SEC football at the BellSouth SEC Living Legends Dinner prior to the gridiron contest between Mississippi State and Tennessee.

During his tenure at Mississippi State (1977-81), Cooks made first-team All-America in 1981, first-team All-SEC selection in 1980 and '81, and second-team All-SEC in 1978. Also in 1981, the Leland native was named the Birmingham Touchdown Club SEC Most Valuable Player and United Press International's SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Following his collegiate playing days, the Mississippi State Hall of Fame member spent six years in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and another three with the New York Giants. He was with the Giants when they became the 1990 Super Bowl Champions.

Now in his fifth year as an assistant athletic director at his alma mater, Cooks was named assistant athletic director for student life in March. In this capacity, he directs the Life Skills program that includes the support systems and career programs for the M-Club and student-athlete advisory council.

This was the fifth year in a row that the SEC has honored its football living legends.