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174. Cornell Green

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174. Cornell Green

There are a lot of improbable runs to getting a Super Bowl Ring, but you might be hard-pressed to find a more unlikely one than Cornell Green.

Green was a star at Utah State, but it was in basketball.  He never even played football in college, and the Chicago Zephyrs of the NBA drafted him.  The Dallas Cowboys would, however, express interest after hearing great things about his overall athletic ability from the Aggies Head Coach, and he was offered a spot in training camp.  Green himself thought it was just a chance to earn $1,000 for participating, but not only would he make the team, but he was also a starting Cornerback in his third game and would go on to the All-Rookie Team.

Green was a natural football player.  In 1965, he would go to what would be his first of five Pro Bowls, and a First Team All-Pro Selection would come his way on three occasions.  A member of the Cowboys first Super Bowl win (Super Bowl VI), Green would ball hawk on 34 times, including a pair of seven pick campaigns.  While he doesn’t receive Hall of Fame consideration in most circles, would an induction conclude one of the more improbable careers gridiron ever?

It would have to be!

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1980
  • Position: Cornerback, Safety
  • Games Played: 182
  • Notable Statistics: 34 Interceptions
    552 Interception Return Yards
    2 Interception Return Touchdowns
    7 Fumble Recoveries
    29 Fumble Recovery Yards
    2 Fumble Recovery Touchdowns
    2.5 Quarterback Sacks*
    3 Kick Returns
    0 Kick Return Yards
    127 Approximate Value

    15 Playoff Games
    1 Interceptions
    60 Interception Return Yards
    1 Interception Return Touchdown

    *Quarterback Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Played For: Dallas Cowboys
  • College: Utah State
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 1962
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Rings (1) (Dallas Cowboys VI)
    First Team All-Pro (3) (1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Second Team All-Pro (1) (1968)
    Pro Bowl (5) (1965, 1966, 1967, 1971 & 1972)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (2) (1966 & 1967)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Return Yards (1) (1963)
    Top Ten Finishes: Interceptions (2) (1963 & 1967)
    Top Ten Finishes: Interception Return Yards (1) (1963)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: None.

Should Cornell Green be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 55.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 27.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.6%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 11.1%
Last modified on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 20:12

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