Local

Former Cleveland Browns linebacker passes away at 64

Former Cleveland Browns linebacker Johnie Cooks has passed away at the age of 64. The news was confirmed by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on Twitter.

Cooks was the No. 2 overall pick by the then-Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL Draft. Cooks played seven of his 10 seasons with the Colts organization where he recorded 29 of his 32 career sacks. After being released one game into the 1988 season, Cooks signed with the New York Giants where he would play three seasons.

Following the stint with the Giants where he won a Super Bowl, Cooks played in two games for the Browns during the 1991 NFL season. In 1991, the Browns finished third in the AFC North with a record of 6-10. The outside linebacker retired following the 1991 season.

Cooks had a standout career at Mississippi State where he is a member of the hall of fame there. Cooks passed away on July 6 in Mississippi.

CONNECT WITH US

WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com

DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/

FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters

TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters

YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814

INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters

SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW

Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published July 9, 2023 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Former Cleveland Browns linebacker passes away at 64."