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Longtime ESPN Football Commentator Dead at 81

Oct 12, 2012  •  Post A Comment

A football commentator who covered the college game for ESPN for the past 26 years has died. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Carroll Hoff “Beano” Cook died Thursday in his sleep at 81.

Known for his colorful, folksy style, Cook became known as the “Cardinal of College Football.” Recently he and ESPN.com senior college football writer Ivan Maisel hosted a weekly podcast, the story notes.

Before joining ESPN in 1986, Cook worked as ABC Sports’ media director from 1966-1974 and did studio commentary for the network between 1982 and 1985.

“There never was and never will be another Beano," said ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer. "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.”

Cook got his nickname "Beano" when he was 7 and his family moved to Pittsburgh from Boston. A neighbor coined the nickname after saying, "Oh, from Boston, like the beans."

beano-cook.jpgBeano Cook

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