Damion Cook loved to make people laugh.
His best moments had to be when he had the entire Ravens roster – especially Ray Lewis and Shannon Sharpe – rolling in laughter during the Ravens’ 2001 training camp.
It was when Cook did his Lewis impersonation, and it was thankfully captured by HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
Cook signed with the Ravens as an undrafted rookie offensive lineman out of Bethune-Cookman in 2001. He played with the Ravens from 2002 to 2004, appearing in 13 games. After his playing days were over, he became the head coach at local Atholton High School.
Last June, Cook tragically died far too early of a heart attack. He was just 36 years old.
“He was larger than life!” his wife, JaNiece Cook, said. “And I'm not just taking about his physical size. His love of life was evident to everyone. He always had a joke, a story, a kind word for everyone he met.”
But that wasn’t the end of Damion’s impact. Laughter wasn’t the only gift he gave.
He had made the compassionate decision to help others through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Damion gave the gift of sight to someone and helped ease the suffering of people in over 27 states across the country.
“Damion's decision to donate to Living Legacy was simple – a no brainer,” JaNiece said. “He was confident that through his death he would be able to give the precious gift of life to others. He would always say, ‘I can't take it with me!’”
One of Cook’s sons, Micah, will be the Living Legacy Tee Kid before Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins. Micah will be joined by JaNiece and siblings, Breyana and Lucas.
You can help save lives like Damion did by registering as a donor at www.donatelifemaryland.org.
