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PITTSBURGH -- Beano Cook, the college football commentator with an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport he dearly loved, has died. The 81-year-old Boston native had worked for ESPN since 1986 and was the sports information director at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, from 1956 to 1966. The school announced Thursday that Cook had died in his sleep. "He was one of a kind," ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer said. "There never was and never will be another Beano. His combination of humour, passion, love of college football and his engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched anyone who knew him." Born Carroll H. Cook, he grew up in Pittsburgh before graduating from the university in 1954, and was known for his love of the college game and, in particular, championing the cause of northeastern teams including Penn State and Pitt before either school was a nationally known power. "Beano Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth of knowledge, and humour were unique," ESPN host Chris Fowler said. "He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can still be seen on GameDay each week." Cook, like many in the business, fell in love with simply being around the competition. With a career that took him so many places, it was hard not to get wrapped up in it. "Getting to know the athletes really provided me with my fondest memories," Cook once said. "That was the most fun." He said his favourites from his time working at Pitt were Mike Ditka, who went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and basketball star Don Hennon. His wealth of knowledge about college football and memory for details made him an irresistible storyteller, as well a passionate pundit. He wasnt always right, but he wasnt afraid to make bold pronouncements, such as when he predicted Notre Dame freshman quarterback Ron Powlus would win at least two Heisman trophies. Powlus never even won one, but Cooks prediction made him famous forever. In recent years he was a frequent contributor on ESPN Radio and did a weekly podcast with ESPN college football writer Ivan Maisel. He was an unapologetic defender of college football, while recognizing its warts, and wasnt shy about touting its superiority to the pro game. "On Sundays they play for money," he once said. "On Saturdays they play for passion, for the love of the game. I think thats why its our greatest sport." Cook was ABC Sports press director for the NCAA after leaving the SID job at Pitt, and later worked in as a writer or media representative for the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Dolphins, the Mutual Radio Network, and CBS before joining ESPN. "Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN. I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my television career and I would not be where I am today without him," ESPN analyst Lee Corso said. "I am forever grateful to Beano and the time we spent behind the GameDay desk." Cook received his distinctive nickname as a youth, when his family moved from Boston to Pittsburgh. A neighbour of the Cook family said, "Oh, from Boston, like the beans" and tabbed the 7-year-old "Beano." Cook is fondly remembered at Pitt, where the media room in the Petersen Events Center is named after him. "Beano left a legacy never to be matched. Not matched in accomplishment, wit or loyalty," Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said. "Like so many others, it has been my privilege to be the beneficiary of Beanos counsel and friendship. He loved the University of Pittsburgh and his name is synonymous with all good things at Pitt. "We all feel a tremendous void in our lives today." Many in and around college football concurred on Thursday. "Its a sad day for college football," Penn State coach Bill OBrien said. "Especially in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was an icon." Cheap NFL Jerseys China . 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Ray received the CFLs weekly honour Tuesday after throwing four TD passes in a 31-26 road win over Saskatchewan on Saturday. Toronto (8-9) locked up second spot in the East Division with the victory as well as home-field advantage for the conference semifinal Nov. 11. With a playoff spot sewn up, Ray will watch the Argos regular-season final Thursday night against the arch-rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Backup Jarious Jackson will start against Hamilton with youngsters Trevor Harris and Zach Collaros also scheduled to play. "Its a short week and he (Ray) isnt 100 per cent healthy," Argos head coach Scott Milanovich said regarding why Ray wont play. "I believe its my job to get him into the playoff game as healthy as he can possibly be. "I think thats in the best interest of our football team." Milanovichs decision is certainly good news for desperate Hamilton (6-11). The Ticats must beat Toronto and hope the Calgary Stampeders defeat the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday night to make the playoffs. If Hamilton loses, Edmonton will qualify for the playoffs, either crossing over into the East Division or finishing third in the West. The Eskimos (7-11) need a win over Calgary and a B.C. victory over Saskatchewan on Saturday night to take the No. 3 Western playoff seed. The Riders can clinch third with either an Eskimos loss or by downing the defending Grey Cup-champion Lions, who have already cemented first in the West. If Saskatchewan and Edmonton finish tied, the Esks will get the higher position based on having won the season series. Receiver Dontrelle Inman -- who has missed four games with a hamstring injury -- returns for Toronto but offensive lineman Marc Parenteau (upper body) is doubtful. If Parenteau cant play, rookie Joel Reinders would make his CFL debut. Inman, who has 43 catches for 675 yards and four TDs, cant wait for Thursdays game. "I hate watching from the sidelines," Inman said. "Its better being in there than looking from the outside in. "I still have that edge, I still have that knack to where I want to be the best at everything I do." Jackson will make his fourth start of the season Thursday after guiding the Argos to a 1-2 record when Ray was injured. Ray has been stellar since his return two weeks ago, throwing eight touchdown passes against just one interception in leading Toronto to consecutive wins. Ray, 33, must wear a brace on his left knee for the remainder of the season but says he feels fine and could play if Toronto needed him to. But with a playoff spot secured, Ray will serve as another set of eyes for Jaackson, Harris and Collaros.dddddddddddd "Its all on what coach wants to do and hes decided to rest me and let some other guys play," Ray said. "Ill be watching from the sidelines trying to see coverages and what theyre trying to do to us defensively and try to help the young guys out. "Theyre our biggest rival. Its nice to knock a team out of the playoffs but your biggest rival is even better. We have a lot to play for still. They have a lot to play for, theyre going to come out ready to go and were going to go out there and try to get the win." Milanovich agrees. "I expect our team to compete to win," he said. "Any time you strap it up you play to win ... just because our starting quarterback isnt playing that could happen in the first round of the playoffs, it could happen at any point. "We know the situation, we know we could turn around in a week and be playing them again. We need to put our best foot forward." Milanovich isnt concerned the time off will affect the rhythm Ray has developed since returning from his injury. "No," he said emphatically. "He had one practice over the course of four weeks and came out and played his best football. "Had I known that, I wouldve held him (out) until the playoffs. It will be a long week next week and there will be additional time for him to get back into rhythm." The playing time will be the first of the season for Harris and Collaros, both CFL rookies. The 24-year-old Collaros, who played college football at the University of Cincinnati, is looking forward to making his debut. "Its an important opportunity for both Trevor and I, especially to showcase what we can do a little bit," he said. "Its big for our evaluation point from (Argos GM Jim) Barker and coach Milanovich and Im just really happy to play. "I just want to do my job, move through my progressions and get the win, most importantly, for the team." Like many American college players, Collaros has had to adjust to the nuances of the Canadian game, but without the benefit of actual game experience. In that situation, Collaros said, mental preparation takes on paramount importance. "It has been different just doing mental reps every day," he said. "Thats why you have to stay sharp and come to work every day with a mental focus to soak in as much as you can from the guys that have been there and experienced it before. "But football is football ... and what it comes down to is having to execute. If you love to play and love to compete youre going to prepare your butt off throughout the week and go out there and give it everything you got and Im excited for that." ' ' '