Reggie Cobb

49ers Scout Reggie Cobb Dies

49ers scout Reggie Cobb died Saturday morning of an apparent heart attack, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. He was 50. Cobb had been with the 49ers for more than 10 years.

Following a lengthy NFL career as a running back, Cobb entered the scouting profession. He broke into the field as a Redskins scout in 2001 and joined the Buccaneers — the team that drafted him in 1990 — after two years in Washington. Cobb found his way to San Francisco after working as a southwest-area scout for the Bucs.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance honored Cobb as its 2011 NFC scout of the year. Cobb served as a San Francisco scout under the Scot McCloughan, Trent Baalke and John Lynch GM regimes. Lynch and Cobb were Bucs teammates during the 1993 season. This was Cobb’s 11th year with the 49ers.

We are devastated by the sudden loss of a tremendous teammate and loyal friend, Reggie Cobb,” Lynch said in a statement. “Reggie was an enthusiastic and passionate person who had a special ability to brighten up a room with his personality and infectious smile. For 10 years, the 49ers were better because of Reggie and these unique qualities that he possessed. He was a top-notch scout and an exemplary man whose years of service to this organization and the National Football League will not be forgotten.”

A second-round pick out of Tennessee, Cobb enjoyed a four-season run as the Bucs’ starter. In 1992, he rushed for a career-high 1,171 yards and nine touchdowns. He signed with the Packers in 1994 and spent a year as their starter, wrapping up his career — which included 3,743 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns — after playing the 1995 season with the expansion Jaguars and the 1996 campaign with the Jets.