High school

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Cook went to Montclair College Preparatory School, a primarily Jewish private school in Van Nuys, California. His graduating class was composed of 57 students.

Stanford University

Cook was a two sport star and 3-year starter at Stanford playing both baseball and football - right field/centerfield and defensive back. He was a communications major. MVP of the Alpha League.

On April 12, 1985 Cook hit the baseball, which hit Mike Young, the best lefthanded college pitcher.

Cook played in and was the Defensive MVP of the 1986 Coca-Cola Classic was a regular season National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football game played in Tokyo, Japan.

Cook was inducted into the Stanford Hall of Fame/Champions as a two sport standout (Football/Baseball) July, 2014.

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins in the 38th round of the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft from Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA) but chose to play football.

New Orleans Saints

At 22 years old, Cook was an eighth-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints as a defensive back. Coached by Jim Mora.

Cook served as Player Representative for the NFLPA for ten years when he was a player in the NFL. Cook was instrumental in helping convince Gene Upshaw, Executive Director of the NFLPA, and its board members to move into the entertainment arena by licensing the players under the league’s group licensing program for entertainment productions.

San Francisco 49ers

Cook played under Head Coach George Seifert. 1995 San Francisco put the team together to beat the Dallas Cowboys. Cook turned down one million dollars from the Cincinnati Bengals because he didn't think they could win. Cook received the league minimum $162,000. Cook played cornerback, nickelback and safety.

Torn rotator cuff landed Cook on the 49ers' injured reserve list. He became a free agent over the summer, trying out with the Denver Broncos before signing with Carolina.

Carolina Panthers

Cook played defensive back for the Panthers under Coach Dom Capers. February, 1997 Cook was released by the NFL as an unrestricted free agent.

Life after football

Cook hosted post-game football shows for WWL in New Orleans, NFC preview shows, and NFL Europe games for Fox Television, served as an analyst for KRON and co-hosted ESPN radio. Cook worked with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver to introduce "Polar Ball" (played with a Velcro ball and one glove) to the Special Olympics Committee.

Amarantus Appointed Super Bowl Champion Toi Cook to Board of Advisors to Advance September 2012 to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Program

Cook was the Executive Vice President in the Sports Division at the Gersh Agency in Los Angeles from 2004-2006

Cook is the principal of Toi Cook Management Group, LLC, September 25, 2007 and September 2012, became President of Empire Sports, a division of Empire Film Group. Empire Sports is a sports, entertainment, and consulting company.

On September 22, 2015 Cook is one of the more than 220 Former NFL Players serving as Master Trainers and Ambassadors For USA Football’s Heads Up Program

Film and television

Besides Cook's football appearances, he appeared in Minister of Defense: The Reggie White Story and '51 Dons as himself. Cook has producer credits for the Walking on Dead Fish - 2008 and The Coach's Journey 2015.

Personal

Cook is married to Kristine, and they have three children, Connor, Carson and Caitlyn. Cook is part of the concussion lawsuit.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]