Leroy Cook (born November 9, 1952 in Abbeville, Alabama) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Alabama and was a two-time All-American selection. Early years Cook attended Abbeville High School, where he played football and basketball. In football, he played wide receiver until his senior year, when he was switched to fullback, because the incumbent starter decided not to play that year. He was a three-time All-Wiregrass Athletic Conference and a two-time All-state player. As a senior in 1971, he contributed to the school winning the state championship both in football and basketball. College career Cook accepted a football scholarship from the University of Alabama. He worked his way into the defensive line rotation as a sophomore, despite injuring his foot in an offseason motorcycle accident. He earned consensus All-American honors in 1975 and was a First-team All-American 1974. As a freshman, in 1972, Cook made 16 tackles (three for a loss) and caused two fumbles. In 1973, he made 18 tackles and again was credited with two caused fumbles. In 1974, his first as an All-America he made 81 tackles (10 for a loss) with six of those being sacks. He was credited with two more forced fumbles and blocked three kicks In 1975, he made 85 tackles, (14 for losses) with 9 of those sacks and caused a career-high 4 fumbles. He was named SEC Player of the Year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club. He also served as team defensive captain that season. He was National Defensive Player of the Week following the University of Tennessee game in 1975, a 30-7 Tide win. He was Defensive MVP of the 1975 Orange Bowl. Cook was selected to the Tide's Team of the Decade of the 1970s and he was also chosen to Sports Illustrated's All-Time University of Alabama team. Cook ended his career with 200 tackles with 27 for losses and 15 sacks. He forced 10 fumbles in 4-years which still ranks high in Alabama record books. He also blocked three kicks. Cook was widely thought of as being a first to third round talent in the NFL Draft, but on November 29, 1975, after a 28–0 win against the University of Auburn when Bob Baumhower slapped Cook's left shoulder pad from behind in a celebratory manner, Cook's right knee snapped and suffered