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Offensive coordinator Bill Walsh, who would coach Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young, once said, “Greg Cook was, I believe, the greatest talent to play the position. He could play today or any time in the history of the NFL. While he played he was the best there was.”
Greg Cook (D. 2012) was an American football quarterback who played two professional seasons, in the American Football League (AFL) and later the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Cincinnati and was selected 5th overall in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. Once considered a rising star for the Cincinnati Bengals, he had his pro career prematurely ended by recurring shoulder troubles.
In 2007, NFL Films named Cook as the number one greatest NFL "one-shot wonder" of all-time, describing him as one of the biggest "what-ifs" in league history, in the seventh installment of its program NFL Top 10.
He played collegiately at Cincinnati, once throwing for 554 yards in a game. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft after Bengals coach and founder Paul Brown saw Cook's performance in the Bearcats' come-from-behind, 23–21 victory against Miami University in Bo Schembechler's last game before he left to coach at the University of Michigan. Brown had attended the game, but left when the Miami Redskins' lead reached 21–6. "That quarterback. That's our draft choice," said Brown after seeing film of Cook's rallying performance.
Offered is an original TYPE I photo that measures 8” x 10” in size stamped on the back July 28, 1971 while in training camp (taken by photographer, Fred Straub – stamped on back). Pictured are a smiling Greg Cook, #82 Royce Berry 1969-74 Bengals), and Joe (Doc) Keefe (team trainer). This was taken during one Cook’s attempted comeback (his shoulder injury prevented him from doing so). Super rare image, due to Cook’s short NFL career.
Item: 13529
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