MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Browning, Butler, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harden, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Little, Posey, Robertson, Thames
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JOHNIE COOKS, EXCELLENT ALL-AMERICAN MISSISSIPPI STATE AND NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE LINEBACKER, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2004.
WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2004 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Johnie Cooks, excellent All-American Mississippi State University linebacker and National Football League linebacker with the Baltimore Colts; and
WHEREAS, a three-sport letterman for Leland High School, Johnie Cooks lettered four years at Mississippi State University from 1977 through 1981, including a redshirt injury season in 1979; and
WHEREAS, named Second Team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press as a Sophomore in 1978, he helped the Mississippi State Bulldogs to achieve the school's first ever back-to-back bowl appearances in 1980 and 1981, and was instrumental in one of the biggest upsets in Mississippi State University history as State defeated Bear Bryant's No. 1 rated Alabama Crimson Tide 6-3 at Jackson, Mississippi, in a famed 1981 contest; and
WHEREAS, Johnie recorded 376 tackles, 241 of which were unassisted, during his college career; was named "Most Valuable Player" on defense in State's 10-0 win over Kansas in the Hall of Fame Bowl played in Birmingham, Alabama; was three-time All-Southeastern Conference player and named First Team All-American by the Associated Press, Football News, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, NEA and Hartford Insurance; played in the 1982 Olympia Gold Bowl in San Diego, California, and the Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, he was a first round draft choice, second player picked overall in the 1982 National Football League draft by the Baltimore Colts, the highest draft choice by any Mississippi State University Bulldog in school history; and
WHEREAS, he played 10 seasons in the National Football League with the Baltimore Colts, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, and developed into a pass-rushing specialist and made the National Football League All-Rookie Team in 1982; he was a member of the 1990 New York Giants team that won the National Football League title in a 20-19 thriller against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV at Tampa, Florida, and returned to Starkville, Mississippi, to work for the Mississippi State University Athletic Department after he completed his professional football career; and
WHEREAS, he was enshrined into the Mississippi State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991 and was selected as a Southeastern Conference Living Legend in 1999; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete who has brought honor to his university and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Johnie Cooks, excellent All-American Mississippi State University linebacker and National Football League linebacker with the Baltimore Colts, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2004, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Johnie Cooks at induction ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.