Former Dallas Cowboys defensive back and longtime NFL scout Cornell Green died Wednesday at age 86.
The Cowboys announced his passing but did not release a cause of death. Team officials described him as one of the most dependable players ever to wear the star.
Green played all 13 of his NFL seasons with Dallas from 1962 through 1974. He never missed a game in that span and started 167 of 168 contests after his rookie year.
He finished with 34 interceptions for 552 yards. That total still ties him for fifth in franchise history more than 50 years after he retired. Green led the Cowboys in interceptions four times and posted season highs of seven picks in both 1963 and 1967.
He earned five Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, plus one second-team All-Pro nod. Green spent his first eight seasons at cornerback before shifting to safety in 1970. He returned to the Pro Bowl at the new position in 1971 and 1972.
Green played in two NFL Championship Games and Super Bowl V. He was a starter on the Super Bowl VI championship team that beat the Miami Dolphins 24-3.
Before football, Green was a standout basketball player. He earned All-America honors at Utah State in 1961 and 1962. His 1,067 career rebounds remain the school record, and he ranks sixth all-time in scoring with 1,890 points.
The Chicago Zephyrs drafted him in the 1962 NBA draft. Green instead accepted a training-camp invite from the Cowboys. He had played only one year of high school football yet made the roster as an undrafted free agent.
Green began scouting for Dallas while still an active player and continued after retirement. He later spent 28 seasons with the Denver Broncos. In all, he evaluated talent for about 35 years. The Fritz Pollard Alliance named him AFC Scout of the Year in 2010.
He retired from scouting in 2015 at age 75.
“We are sad to share news of the passing of Cowboys Legend Cornell Green this morning,” the team said in a statement. “Cornell was a true trailblazer having never played football in college, yet becoming a multi-time Pro Bowler, All Pro and NFL Super Bowl Champion with the Cowboys playing defensive back from 1962 to 1974. He was a member of the 25th Anniversary Cowboys Team as well. Cornell remarkably never missed a game in 13 seasons, becoming one of the best and most dependable teammates to ever wear the star. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Green was born February 10, 1940, in Oklahoma City and grew up in California. He starred in basketball at El Cerrito High School before college.
He was part of the first generation of the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense. Green also holds the franchise record for blocked kicks with 10, including eight field goals.
His interception return yardage of 552 ranks among the higher totals in team history. He returned two of his picks for touchdowns during his career.
Green’s path from basketball prospect to Super Bowl champion and respected scout remains one of the more unusual success stories in NFL history.
