Johnie Cooks, who starred in one of the great upset victories in SEC football history, has died. He was 64.

Cooks was an All-America linebacker at Mississippi State and later won a Super Bowl ring with the NFL’s New York Giants, but is best known in this part of the country for his performance against Alabama on Nov. 1, 1980. Cooks totaled 16 tackles as the Bulldogs stunned two-time defending national champion Alabama 6-3 in Jackson, Miss., ending the Crimson Tide’s 28-game winning streak.

Alabama’s powerful wishbone offense came into that game averaging 425 yards and 38 points per game, but Cooks and the Bulldogs limited the Crimson Tide to 180 yards and a field goal, forcing four fumbles — including one inside the five in the final 20 seconds. The victory was Mississippi State’s first over Alabama since 1958, and is still considered among the greatest in Bulldogs program history.

“We weren’t going to take no for an answer,” Cooks told reporters after the game. “I don’t want to take anything away from Alabama. They have one of the greatest teams in the country. We just knew before the game if we played well, we could beat them.”

Cooks’ death was announced late Thursday by Mississippi State. No cause of death was given.

“Johnie Cooks is without question among the very best to ever put on the Maroon and White while also standing as one of the most decorated college football players of his era,” Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “He truly did it all in his career, from earning accolade after accolade as a Bulldog, to winning a Super Bowl in the NFL. Johnie will be remembered forever in Starkville as he is cemented as an MSU legend. We extend our deepest condolences to Johnie’s family, as well as all who knew, loved and admired him.”

After helping Mississippi State to a 9-3 finish in 1980 and an 8-4 mark in 1981, Cooks was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft by the then-Baltimore Colts. He played 10 seasons in the league with the Colts, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, helping New York win the Super Bowl after the 1990 season.

Cooks was named SEC Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1981, when he was also first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American. As a junior in 1980, he totaled 24 tackles in a 24-21 victory over Auburn.

Cooks is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Mississippi State Athletic Hall of Fame. His No. 99 was placed on the Ring of Honor at Davis Wade Stadium in 2011.