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College football legend Beano Cook dies at 81
ESPN.com ^ | 11 October 2012 | Staff

Posted on 10/11/2012 11:22:55 AM PDT by bjorn14

Beano Cook, a longtime staple of the Pittsburgh sports scene and an ESPN college football studio commentator since 1986, has died. He was 81.

Cook, a 1954 University of Pittsburgh grad, began his career as a sports publicist for the school from 1956-66. He later worked with a number of organizations, including the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.

Beano Cook's breadth of knowledge of the history of the college game earned him the moniker, the "Cardinal of College Football." Cook was a studio commentator for ABC from 1982-85 before joining ESPN. He also worked as ABC's press director from 1966-74, and for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, as well as the Miami Dolphins. He also worked as a publicist for CBS Sports.

His breadth of knowledge of the history of the college game earned him the moniker, the "Cardinal of College Football." Most recently, Cook and ESPN.com senior college football writer Ivan Maisel shared the microphone on a weekly podcast. Cook also chatted regularly with ESPN.com users.

"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."

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."

(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: beano; beanocook; collegefootball; obituary
RIP Beano
1 posted on 10/11/2012 11:22:59 AM PDT by bjorn14
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To: bjorn14

ALWAYS a fun guy to listen to. He’ll be missed for sure.


2 posted on 10/11/2012 11:25:51 AM PDT by JennysCool (My hypocrisy goes only so far)
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To: bjorn14

Sorry to hear that, but breaking news?


3 posted on 10/11/2012 11:56:37 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("Don't be afraid to see what you see." -- Ronald Reagan)
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To: Colonel_Flagg

To bad, his team Notre Dame, does not suck this year. He was always a Notre Dame/Big-10 homer, but he was enjoyable to listen to.


4 posted on 10/11/2012 12:17:11 PM PDT by pburgh01
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To: JennysCool

The kiss of death was when Beano picked your team to win.


5 posted on 10/11/2012 12:18:36 PM PDT by dfwgator (I'm voting for Ryan and that other guy.)
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To: bjorn14

He was a great college football commentator, and funny as hell. He was to college football what Dick Vitale is to college basketball.

The saddest day for college football will be the day Keith Jackson passes away.


6 posted on 10/11/2012 12:39:58 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: bjorn14

He remembered watching Johnny Unitas as a High School QB!


7 posted on 10/11/2012 12:55:54 PM PDT by Forgotten Amendments (Democracy = Communism on the installment plan.)
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To: bjorn14

He remembered watching Johnny Unitas as a High School QB!


8 posted on 10/11/2012 12:56:12 PM PDT by Forgotten Amendments (Democracy = Communism on the installment plan.)
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To: bjorn14

RIP Mr. Cook...you’ll be missed!!


9 posted on 10/11/2012 1:06:51 PM PDT by ExCTCitizen (Yes, Obama, I had help with my business. MY CUSTOMERS!)
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To: SeaHawkFan

Indeed. Keith is the best . . . ever. There truly have been some great commentators in both CFB and CBB, that have elevated them, along with technology, to the great games they are. Enberg, Musberger, Packer along with a host of others.


10 posted on 10/11/2012 1:24:49 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: A_Former_Democrat

Musberger never impressed me. Never thought he was all that knowledgeable about any sport.


11 posted on 10/11/2012 1:31:42 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: Forgotten Amendments
He remembered watching Johnny Unitas as a High School QB!

He was a virtual encyclopedia of Pittsburgh sports history (though lots of people remember Johnny U. playing in high school. St. Justin's vs. St. Mary's was a big rivalry back then)

Great Beano quote going around town today: "In life, there are only two areas where you are required to bat a thousand. Flying and open heart surgery. On everything else you can go 4 for 5."


12 posted on 10/11/2012 2:26:35 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: SeaHawkFan

He’s called some great games


13 posted on 10/11/2012 3:19:23 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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