Oral history with Fred H. Cook

              Oral history with Fred H. Cook
F341.5 . M57 vol. 749, pt. 2
Funding for this project provided by The Mississippi State Legislature, The Mississippi Humanities Council, The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi.
This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Frederick Harrison Cook III was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on April 15, 1952 to Frederick and Mildred Cook. His grandmother, Gertrude Edwards, took care of him for most of his childhood.
During his senior year at The University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Cook was drafted by the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League. He played as a defensive end for the Colts from 1974- 1982.
Now in semi- retirement, Mr. Cook devotes much of his time to public service and work with young people. His program, Southeastern Professionals for Positive Action, is committed to helping today's youth build healthy and productive lives.
Mr. Cook and his wife Valerie lost three infants to a rare heart condition. They now have three children, Frederick Ramon, Rita Charne, and Raquel Anicia.
Table of Contents
I. The NFL draft and the Baltimore Colts
II. Going to a big city for the first time
III. Training camp with the Baltimore Colts
IV. Adjusting to life on the team
V. Knee injury
VI. Marriage
VII. Illness of first child
VIII. Loss of children to heart condition
IX. Catholic traditions
X. The power of agony and the power of God
XI. Applying lessons from the world of sports to everyday life
mus- coh. cookf. doc Page 1 of 11