Category: ‘Breaking News’

Longtime ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook passed away overnight in Pittsburgh. Beano was 81.

The ESPN family extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Beano, who had taken ill in recent weeks.

“He was one of a kind,” said ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer. “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.”

Carroll H. “Beano” Cook — known as much for his caustic wit as for his encyclopedic knowledge of college football history — was one of the sport’s most memorable commentators. In addition to college football programming, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS on television, Cook was a fixture as a guest on ESPN Radio and had a popular podcast on ESPN.com.

Prior to ABC, Cook worked in public relations for CBS Sports from 1977-82. From 1974-77, he worked as sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times, the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins, public relations director for Mutual Radio Network, and toured with VISTA. From 1966-74, Cook served as ABC Sports NCAA press director.

Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Ivan Maisel — three ESPN personalities who worked closely with Cook over his career at ESPN — provided the following memories:

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.”

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.”

Maisel: “Beano loved college football, and he had the encyclopedic memory to prove it. More than that, he loved people. He collected friends like some people collect stamps. People would say they don’t make them like Beano, because of his ability to be so quotable. But Beano was one-of-a-kind in his friendship. I think all of us who valued that quality in him are very, very sad.”

Other ESPN colleagues also have shared their thoughts, including researcher Howie Schwab: “Beano was extremely passionate about a lot of things, most notably college football. He was also extremely intelligent in many areas ranging from history to the television industry. He cared about people. If you were a friend of Beano’s, you always knew he had your back and would always be there for you. Miss him already.”

ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka, a player at Pitt when Beano was the SID: “He was special. We became really good friends the years I was in school at Pitt. I don’t know that anybody loved that job and loved Pitt more than he did.”

Cook always will be remembered for his sense of humor. Over his ESPN years, he gave many memorable quips, such as:

• 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. (1988) continue reading…