Cornell Green, the former Dallas Cowboys defensive back who played every game during a 13-year NFL career and helped establish the franchise’s original Doomsday Defense, has died at 86. The Cowboys announced his death Wednesday but did not disclose a cause.
Key takeaways
- Green appeared in 182 consecutive regular-season games for Dallas from 1962 through 1974, along with 15 postseason contests.
- He earned five Pro Bowl selections and received first-team All-Pro recognition in 1966 and 1967.
- Green won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys during the 1971 season and later was named to the club’s 25th anniversary team.
- His 34 interceptions remain tied for fifth in Cowboys franchise history.
- Before entering the NFL, Green was a fifth-round NBA draft selection after a standout basketball career at Utah State.
A Cowboys ironman and championship defender
Green arrived in Dallas in 1962 with an unusual football background. He had not played the sport in college, yet accepted an invitation to Cowboys training camp after being selected by the Chicago Zephyrs with the 37th overall choice in the fifth round of the NBA draft.
He made the Cowboys roster and quickly became one of the club’s most durable players. Green started three of 14 games as a rookie, then started 167 of his remaining 168 regular-season appearances. He opened his career as a cornerback, holding that role for eight seasons before moving to safety for his final five years.
Dallas praised Green as a pioneer whose path from non-college football player to accomplished NFL defensive back was rare. The team noted that he became a repeat Pro Bowler, an All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion while proving to be among the most reliable players to wear the Cowboys star.
Green was a key member of the defense that became known as the Doomsday Defense. His run included the Cowboys’ first Super Bowl title, earned in the 1971 season, and his interception total remains among the best in franchise annals.
Basketball roots and post-playing career
Born in Oklahoma City, Green grew up in California and played basketball at El Cerrito High School. He also played football there as a junior before continuing his basketball career through two seasons at a California community college.
Green transferred to Utah State, where he played during the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons. He still owns the program record with 1,067 career rebounds and ranks sixth on its all-time scoring list with 1,890 points.
That production drew NBA interest from the Zephyrs, a franchise that later became the Washington Wizards. Green instead chose the NFL opportunity in Dallas and built a career that spanned 197 games when regular season and playoff appearances are combined.
Following his retirement as a player, Green remained in pro football as a scout. He worked for the Cowboys and later held a scouting role with the Denver Broncos.
