Cook disappointed not to be MSU captain, pledges to lead anyway
Among the curious news items of the past week was one from Michigan State regarding captains.
More specifically the fact three-year starting quarterback Connor Cook was not among the trio of Jack Allen, Shilique Calhoun and Darien Harris, something Cook confirmed via the Lansing State Journal bothered him.
"Obviously, I was disappointed, but we have the whole leadership council, the 12 guys, and I think the whole senior class takes pride in everyone being leaders," said the Ohio native, noting there are more important things than titles when it comes to being a leader.
"I for sure want to be captain, but it's not gonna limit me from leading," Cook said. "I think for the position that I'm in, being a quarterback here, that's already assumed.
"I've been a leader here, I've been a leader since I've been starting here. The coaches believe in me, I think that's been known. Coach (Mark Dantonio) believes in me, they all believe in me."
Cook has been the starter at quarterback for the Spartans since early in the 2013 season, one that ended with him playing a key role in victories in the Big Ten championship game over Ohio State and the Rose Bowl over Stanford.
He also led a game-winning drive in the waning seconds of the Cotton Bowl against Baylor to conclude last season.
"I may not be a captain, but every time I step in the huddle, everybody looks to me to lead," he said. "Every time we step on that football field, I touch the ball every single play on offense. And I lead that offense down, I lead it to game-winning drives. I've led us in big-time games before.
"And guys still look to me as a leader, and obviously it stinks not to be captain, but that's why we have the leadership council, the 12 guys."
(H/T Lansing State Journal)
