Former NFL Head Coach Dennis Green Dead At Age 67

Former NFL Head Coach Dennis Green Dead At Age 67

The NFL has lost a respected family member today.

Via ESPN

Dennis Green, who coached the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals over 13 NFL seasons, died Thursday night at the age of 67.

“Dennis passed away last night from complications of cardiac arrest,” Green’s family said in a statement. “His family was by his side and he fought hard.”

Green’s Vikings made eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons from 1992 to 2001, reaching the NFC Championship Game in 1998 and 2000. He led the Vikings to a 15-1 regular season in 1998 and ranks second in franchise history in games coached, wins and winning percentage, trailing Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant in each category.

Many in the NFL community will remember Dennis Green as “a motivator of men”, like former Vikings head coach Mike Tice. The casual sports fan may remember Green as the guy do said THIS at post-game press conference after his Arizona Cardinals blew a 20-0 halftime lead to the Chicago Bears:

While that rant became iconic on the internet, Green was a respected football mind who took a chance on drafting a Hall of Fame talent like Randy Moss when many saw nothing but red flags.

Coach Green was also the 2nd African-American head coach in the modern day NFL after Art Shell.

Rest in peace, Dennis Green. You are who we thought you were.

Image via AP