The Dallas Cowboys are in mourning after legendary defensive back Cornell Green died at the age of 86. No cause of death was immediately announced.
Green was part of Dallas’ iconic Doomsday Defense and he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI in January 1972.
Remarkably, Green was initially drafted into the NBA in 1962 by the Chicago Zephyrs. But that year he was also invited to join the Cowboys’ training camp. Green earned a spot on the team – despite playing just one season of football while in high school.
He went on to establish himself as a Cowboys icon – never missing a game over 13 seasons in Dallas – but on Wednesday, the franchise announced his passing.
‘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,’ the team said in a statement.
Dallas added that he became ‘one of the best and most dependable teammates to ever wear the star… our thoughts and prayers are with his family.’
The Cowboys are in mourning after legendary defensive back Cornell Green died aged 86
Green was part of Dallas’ Doomsday Defense and he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI
Green spent his entire NFL career with the Cowboys, retiring after the 1974 season.
He later worked as a scout for Dallas before joining the Denver Broncos, where he was named AFC Scout of the Year in 2010.
Earlier on Wednesday, it emerged that former NFL defensive end Allen Bailey has died at the age of 37.
His brother, Alford Bailey Jr, told TMZ that Allen’s wife found his body inside their Florida home on Tuesday. He reportedly died from natural causes.
Bailey spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami.
