Getty Bruce Arians gave a brief tribute to late Buccaneers beat writer Mark Cook, who died on Aug. 12.
Before Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians could break down the Buccaneers’ preseason-opening loss to Cincinnati, he removed his hat and took a moment to recognize late Buccaneers beat writer Mark Cook.
“Man, what a great guy. A dear friend and a hell of a professional,” Arians said. “I wish the family peace and happiness. We was a hell of a guy.”
Cook, who died unexpectedly at age 50 on Aug. 12, covered team for Pewter Report, a Tampa-based website dedicated to Bucs coverage. He began covering the team in 2011 and became well-known and loved among players, coaches, Bucs management, and fans. His video series What’s Cooking? that featured interviews with Bucs players showed his connection with the likes of O.J. Howard, Shaquil Barrett, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin.
One-time Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy shared similar sentiments to Arians about Cook amid the outpouring of tributes and condolences from the Bucs organization and fan base.
“Man, I hate to hear news like today,” McCoy wrote. “Us as athletes have our reservations with growing relationships with the media, but Mark Cook was one of the real genuine guys in this crazy business. Hate hearing about his passing. Sending love and prayers to his family.”
Man I hate to hear news like today. Us as athletes have our reservations with growing relationships with the media but @MarkCook1970 was one of the real genuine guys in this crazy business. Hate hearing about his passing. Sending love and prayers to his family. 🙏🏾
The Bucs organization ran a tribute for Cook before halftime during the 19-14 loss to the Bengals.
Such a thoughtful and touching gesture by the @Buccaneers…paying tribute to @MarkCook1970 on the jumbotron just before halftime. He would have been so moved by all of this…
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Condolences Came From Bucs and Beyond
Bucs general manager Jason Licht also shared condolences on social media.
“Prayers are with the Cook family and all his loved ones,” Licht wrote. “Mark, you were great, man, and were always a pure joy to be around. You will be sorely missed by all of us.”
The Bucs organization likewise released a statement shortly after news of Cook’s death.
“Rest in peace, Mark. You’ll always be a part of the Bucs family,” the Bucs social media team wrote.
Rest in peace, Mark. You’ll always be a part of the Bucs family. 🙏
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Mark Cook,” the statement reads. “He was a fixture at our team facility at Raymond James Stadium for more than a decade, providing quality coverage and valuable insight about our football team. He had a special connection with Buccaneers fans and an incredible knowledge and appreciation of our franchise’s history. Mark was especially proud of his son, Douglas, and was always eager to share stories about him around the Buccaneers’ locker room. Our players, coaches and entire staff will miss him dearly. We extend our deepest sympathies to Douglas and all of Mark’s family and friends.”
Bucs superfan Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys called Cook a “dear friend’ and wished the family condolences.
“RIP bro. You were a dear friend of mine, and I’ll never forget our friendship and love for our beloved Bucs. I’ll be praying for your family and friends,” Carter wrote.
RIP bro. You were a dear friend of mine and I’ll never forget our friendship and love for our beloved Bucs. I’ll be praying for your family and friends.
As WTSP reported, droves of tributes from Bucs fans poured in for Cook across Twitter.
A Lifelong Bucs Fans
Cook grew up a lifelong Bucs fan and began watching the team from its beginning in 1976 when he was age seven according to Pewter Report.
He worked as an outdoors columnist for the Tampa Tribune from 1997 to 2011 before covering the Bucs for Pewter Report. His final game covering the Bucs turned out to be the Super Bowl LV win. Pewter Report shared a Facebook post of his from that moment.
“What a night! I’ve watched this team with my dad since I was seven years old and with Douglas since we adopted him 17 years ago. The only thing better would have been if we had all been together to see this. We’ve watched a lot of bad football over the last 43 years but this made it all worth it.”