Cornell Green (defensive back)
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- For the current offensive tackle, see Cornell Green.
| Cornell Green (defensive back) | |
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| Date of birth: | February 10, 1940 |
| Place of birth: |  Oklahoma City, OK |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | CB & S |
| College: | Utah State University |
| NFL Draft: | 1962 / Round: |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1962-1974 | Dallas Cowboys |
| Career highlights and Awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 5 |
| Awards: | Utah State University Hall of Fame |
| Honors: | Dallas Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team[1] |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Cornell Green (born February 10, 1940 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), 6'3", 205, was an football player. He played cornerback and safety for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. He went to the Utah State University where he didn't play football but was a three-time All-Skyline Conference basketball player. The Cowboys signed him as a free agent in 1962.
Green played in 168 games, including 145 consecutive starts for the Cowboys between 1962-1974. He played corner during his first eight seasons, led the team in interceptions four times, went to four Pro Bowls and was named NFL All-Pro 4 times. Cowboys Coach Tom Landry said of Green, "He had the athletic skills from basketball to become a fine defensive back. His only transition was playing a sport where you could tackle someone with the ball, and Cornell never had a problem dealing with that."
In 1969 Green switched to Strong Safety and the Cowboys went to two consecutive Super Bowls. In 1971 he went back to the Pro Bowl at safety.
Following his retirement after the 1974 season, Green went on to be a scout with the Cowboys and later the Denver Broncos.
He is the brother of Pumpsie Green, the first black player to play for the Boston Red Sox, who were the last team to integrate.
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