Missouri QB Brady Cook Taken to Hospital, Returned for Comeback Win vs. Auburn
October 19, 2024
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook had a very eventful Saturday.
Cook was injured during Missouri's 21-17 victory over Auburn but returned to the game to help lead the team to victory. Following the win, Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed that Cook had actually gone to the hospital during the game before coming back and returning to the field.
Nathalie Jones @NathalieABC17Very emotional <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> football coach Eli Drinkwitz after today's game ⤵️ QB Brady Cook got injured, went to the hospital, came back and won the football game... <br>"For all the criticism that young man takes, 12 sure would die on the field for everybody." <br><br>I asked Coach Drink… <a href="https://t.co/P7fitd37zF">pic.twitter.com/P7fitd37zF</a>
"He told the team that in the hospital he realized I only got two and a half games left at Faurot Field," Drinkwitz said in his postgame press conference. "There's no way I'm spending it here in this hospital."
Following the game, Cook said his love for the program helped inspire him to return and that the sacrifice was worth it.
"Shoutout to our trainers," Cook said. "I've played through stuff before, I've been through adversity before, physically, emotionally, mentally. This isn't anything new, it's just another step."
Cook went 11-of-22 for 194 yards and helped steer the Tigers towards a 15-point fourth quarter that sealed the win. Missouri improved to 6-1 with the victory and remain in contention within the SEC.
Cook left during the Tiger's first drive and did not return until late in the third quarter. Drew Pyne played in his absence, going 10-of-21 for 78 yards.
The Tigers have a high-profile matchup against Alabama next and a victory would catapult them up the SEC rankings. Missouri only has two home games left on the schedule, so Cook's courage showed his commitment to the program and honoring it at Faurot Field.