My Friend, Beano Cook

My friend Beano Cook died yesterday at the age of 81. Though I spoke to him each day and knew he was “not well” his death came as a shock and is yet another horrible blow.

Beano Cook was a man from a different time, a better time but a better time for some horrible reasons. One day maybe I or more important the societies of this country and the world will address those reasons. One thing great about that time and something Mr.Cook embodied was craft, specialized craft. He had great knowledge of many things but specialized in college football and the audience gained from that specialization. Disney, which employed Mr. Cook from 1986 until his death, is about fluff, so called style and vulgar, violent, mistake prone, nonsense. Beano circumvented that deterioration and still managed great humor while disseminating information.

I met Beano while working on the ABC College Football Scoreboard Show and let’s just say “a fisherman can always spot another fisherman.” He was an encyclopedia of information and when a score of an old game was needed he knew it. As was the case with my mother who was a Latin major (remember Latin?) and was always correct regarding a word’s definition, Beano, likewise, was always correct but always said “look it up.” Accuracy, accuracy back to that respect for craft and a job well done.

Many tributes to Beano are out there including some humorous ones. This loss is so painful I ask respectfully that you, the reader, come back another day and I promise Beano stories you will not find elsewhere. I will keep his name alive, a man from another time. I will do so citing his wit, knowledge and yes, his flaws. The calls yesterday from people who knew him, knew I was his friend, or both, stated he is in a “better place.” Speaking of that place, God himself welcomed one of his or her (if it is the latter Beano has a better teacher for his “evolving”) more incredible creations by saying “do not worry, your bags arrived safely and you are getting seven and a half points and we are in overtime.” Beano corrected God and not so politely; my quote is “the two safest feelings are when the plane lands,(baggage arrived et al) and getting six and a half points in overtime.” God responded saying those bleeps (God does not curse) changed the overtime rules and since I really want you here for stories, insight, scheduling (Beano had the great Roone Arledge’s ear for college football scheduling) and yes “evolving” we are giving you the seven and one half points.” It is not the first and will not be the last time, a wonderful man, named Beano Cook gets extra credit.

PS  Beano, do you need last night’s scores?