DALLAS COWBOYS ANNOUNCE CORNELL GREEN'S DEATH

Cornell Green died on Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys announced. The club called the former defensive back a “true NFL trailblazer” in a tribute. Green played 13 seasons for Dallas and helped the team win Super Bowl VI. He later worked as a scout for the Cowboys and the Denver Broncos.

Green built a basketball career before he joined the NFL. At Utah State, he earned All-America honours in 1961 and 1962, scored 1,890 points and collected 1,067 rebounds, a school career record. The Chicago Zephyrs drafted him in 1962, but Green accepted an invitation to Cowboys training camp instead. He made the roster after playing only one year of football, during secondary school. Green never missed a game during his 13 seasons and started 167 of 168 games after his rookie year.

Green played cornerback for his first eight seasons, led Dallas in interceptions four times and earned three Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honours. He moved to safety in 1970 and earned two further Pro Bowl selections in 1971 and 1972. He played in two NFL Championship Games and Super Bowl V before Dallas beat the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI. Green retired after the 1974 season and entered scouting. He received the NFL Scout of the Year award in 2010, while his 34 interceptions rank joint fifth in Cowboys records.