Longtime ESPN commentator and college football analyst Beano Cook died on Wednesday, passing away in his sleep. He was 81-years-old.
Cook worked as an ESPN analyst since 1986 and was one of the most notable college football minds of his time. According to SFGate.com, "Cook's death was announced by ESPN in a Twitter post. Bill Hofheimer, a spokesman for the Walt Disney Co. network, confirmed Cook's passing in an e-mail."
"He was one of a kind," George Bodenheimer, ESPN executive chairman, said in a statement. "There never was and never will be another Beano. His combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched anyone who knew him."
He grew up in Pittsburgh, attending college at the University of Pittsburgh before serving in the U.S. Army for two years. Cook originally received his nickname as a child from a neighbor, referencing his move from Boston, aka "Beantown".
Cook was well known in the city of Pittsburgh and the sports scene in the area. After graduating from Pittsburgh, he worked as a sports publicist for the university for ten years from 1956 to 1966. He worked as a vice president with the Pittsburgh Civic Arena and also worked as a sports commentator on local television.
Said ESPN College GameDay host Chris Fowler: "Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth of knowledge, and humor were unique. He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can still be seen on GameDay each week."
Cook began working at ESPN after spending time as an ABC sports commentator from 1982 to 1985. Throughout the years he proved knowledgeable in all facets of college football, earning the nickname, the "Cardinal of College Football."
While working at ESPN cook had a weekly podcast with ESPN.com senior college football writer Ivan Maisel.
Said ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso: "Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN. I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my television career and I would not be where I am today without him. I am forever grateful to Beano and the time we spent behind the 'GameDay' desk."
Cook announced that he was sick in a blog post in early October.
"Sorry to say that health issues hit me at the worst time -- start of college football season," he said. "Everything except recovery takes a back-burner now. I won't say I'll be back to the blog by a certain date, as some businesses might 'promise,' but I do hope to return soon. Thanks for your support and encouragement. Enjoy the season!"
Cook was known for a range of quips and trademarks, including: "You only have to bat a thousand in two things -- flying and heart transplants," Cook once said. "Everything else, you can go 4-for-5."
He was also known for making historical references in his work, most famously when he said "Haven't they suffered enough?" in response to MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn offering free lifetime passes to baseball games for the hostages taken in Iran.
Born on Sept. 1, 1931 in San Francisco, Cook eventually lived in Boston with his family before moving to Pittsburgh, a city that would remain important and dear to him for the rest of his life. Apart from his work on his podcast and on ESPN.com, he could be heard and seen on College Gameday, ESPN Radio, The Herd with Colin Cowherd and on All Night With Jason Smith.
According to SFGate.com, Cook once said in 1988: I'd like to do the last scoreboard show and then go. I don't want to die in the middle of the football season. I have to know who's No. 1 in the last polls."
