Kansas football: A look back at the career of All-American John Zook

Defensive lineman and Kansas football legend John Zook recently passed away, but he will always be an immortal Jayhawk.

Born in Garden City and raised in Larned, John Zook was a Jayhawk from the start. A Kansas football legend, Zook passed away on June 6th, but his career was unforgettable. He was one of the greatest ever when it comes to Kansas football, and he had a solid pro career too.

Zook had a stellar career at Kansas that was highlighted by two All-Big 8 selections as well as an All-American selection in 1968. That 1968 season was one of the best in KU football history with some iconic Jayhawks including Zook, Bobby Douglass, and John Riggins leading the team.

The Jayhawks won a share of the Big 8 title that season along with Oklahoma and finished the regular season with a 9-1 record. Kansas was selected to face Penn State in the Orange Bowl where they were defeated by the Nittany Lions 15-14.

Kansas finished ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll.

Zook was taken in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Los Angelas Rams; however, he would never play a game for the Rams. Zook would end up playing in the NFL for ten years with the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Cardinals before deciding to retire.

Zook’s best season came in 1973 when he was a second-team All-Pro and also chosen to play in the Pro Bowl.

In 2007, Zook was inducted into the Kansas football Ring of Honor where he joined some of his teammates from the 1968 team including Riggins and Dougless.

Zook was without a doubt one of the best and most successful Jayhawks in Kansas football history. As a Ring of Honor member, his name will always present at Memorial Stadium, and he’ll never be forgotten.