Former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green Dies at 67

By Francisco Romero. – Not only the Arizona Cardinals football organization, but also the world of football is in mourning. One of the greatest coaches to have directed the Cardinals has passed away. On July 21 of this year Dennis Green died of a heart attack.

The following statement was released by the Green family, “His family was by his side and he fought hard.” In lieu of flowers, the family added, contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of San Diego.

“All of us at the Cardinals are incredibly saddened by the news of Dennis Green’s passing,” stated Michael Bidwill, Cardinals team president in a statement released by the team. “Coach Green will rightly be remembered as a true innovator, leader and pioneer among football coaches. We express our deepest sympathy to his family and his many friends.”

Green guided the Cardinals from 2004-2006. His head-coaching career started with the Minnesota Vikings from 1992-2001.

The Vikings organization released the following statement, “He mentored countless players and served as a father figure for the men he coached. He took great pride in helping assistant coaches advance their careers. His tenure as one of the first African American head coaches in both college and the NFL was also transformative. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Green family.”

Green’s legacy with the Cardinals may not be remembered for the wins and losses under his guidance, but for the players he helped draft and sign during his tenure that eventually mad it to the Super Bowl in 2008.

Green was influential in the signings of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald linebacker Karlos Dansby, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, Defensive end Antonio Smith and quarterback Kurt Warner. These players were the nucleus of the team that was a play or two short of winning Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers.