"Former University of Cincinnati and Bengals quarterback Greg Cook, the franchise's first big-name rookie whose considerable promise was curtailed by injury, died Friday at the age of 65. Cook had been hospitalized this week for treatment of pneumonia.

"Greg was the single most talented player we've ever had with the Bengals," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. "His career was tragically short due to the injury. Had he been able to stay healthy, I believe he would have been the player of his era in the NFL.

"Greg was a personal friend to me. He was a good person whose company I enjoyed over all his years as a player and after that. I feel a great loss at his passing."

Bob Johnson, an original Bengal and the only player to have his number retired by the team, called Cook's death "incredibly sad."

"He was an incredibly gifted person in so many ways," Johnson said. "He was the most talented quarterback or prospect we ever had. He is a snapshot of an unfortunate, unfulfilled potential."