Not to be lost in the hubbub surrounding the Notre Dame-Stanford game was the news last week that revered college football analyst Beano Cook died in his sleep at age 81. For many of us, Beano was one of the most colorful commentators the college game has ever known. Often imitated, never duplicated, his unique style and sometimes outrageous comments set him apart.
The unique and legendary Beano Cook will be missed.
For Notre Dame fans, his career is often reduced to his off-base prediction of two Heisman Trophies for Irish quarterback Ron Powlus. But he was so much more – someone who understood and celebrated the great passion engendered by college football.
Beano was a friend to many in the business of covering college football. His knowledge of the sport was encyclopedic, his stories legendary.
He is remembered fondly by ESPN colleague Ivan Maisel and former College GameDay partner Tim Brando. Other writers recall his wisdom and humor, and what he meant to the University of Pittsburgh, his alma mater and one-time employer.
Here is what Beano once said about his passion for college football:
“On Sundays they play for money. On Saturdays they play for passion, for the love of the game. I think that’s why it’s our greatest sport. When people study this civilization ten thousand years from now, historians are going to be baffled about why more people followed pro football than college. They are going to decide that it was a weakness of this civilization that more people wanted to watch pro football on Sundays rather than college on Saturdays. Many things have changed about the game during my lifetime but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the passion.”
Rest in Peace, Beano.
