ATLANTA – John Zook, who teamed with Corridor of Famer Claude Humphrey to present the Atlanta Falcons a dynamic mixture at defensive finish, has died. He was 72.
His brother, Dean Zook, confirmed the loss of life to the Atlanta Journal-Structure. The previous participant died Saturday in his native Kansas after an extended battle with most cancers.
Initially a fourth-round choose by the Los Angeles Rams out of Kansas, Zook wound up in Atlanta after a pair of trades, first to Philadelphia, then to the Falcons.
Zook was with Atlanta from 1969-75, lining up on the precise whereas Humphrey held down the left aspect. The workforce has scant success, with solely two profitable seasons and no playoff appearances throughout that point, however the duo was acknowledged as one of many workforce’s few robust fits.
Zook by no means missed a sport throughout his tenure with the Falcons, beginning 97 of 98 contests. He made his solely Professional Bowl look in 1973, becoming a member of Humphrey within the all-star sport.
“Probably the most enjoyable I had the entire time I performed soccer was the time John and I had that season after we have been each chosen to the Professional Bowl,” Humphrey informed the Atlanta newspaper. ”We found out we have been higher collectively than we have been individually.”
Zook was dealt to St. Louis in 1976, spending his final 4 seasons with the Cardinals.
He performed 144 video games, with 134 begins.
Zook had 4 profession interceptions and notably recorded the primary security in Falcons historical past in 1971.
He grew up in Larned, Kansas.
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