Ex-Vikings Coach Denny Green Dies
By Ryan Mayer
The Minnesota Vikings family lost a member of its coaching fraternity today as former head coach Dennis Green passed away at age 67. According to his former agent Ray Anderson, the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Related: Fans React To Coach Denny Green's Death
Green spent 13 years as the head coach for the Vikings, compiling a 97-62 record that included two separate trips to the NFC Championship Game. His best season came in 1998 when the team went 15-1 en route to being the number one seed in the NFC before falling to the Falcons in overtime 30-27 in the conference title game.
Following his stint in Minnesota, Green took the head coaching job for the Arizona Cardinals where he spent three seasons and is perhaps most remembered for his "They are who we thought they were" rant.
Related: Football Insiders Remember Denny Green
Several former and current NFL players took to Twitter to express their condolences and memories of Green.
Current Dallas Cowboys fullback Tyler Clutts expressed his thanks to Green for giving him a shot during Green's time in the UFL with the California Redwoods and Sacramento Mountain Lions.
Former Vikings running back Robert Smith said Green was essentially a father figure to him.
The NFL released a statement on Green's passing on its website. NFL Vice president of football operations Troy Vincent wrote the following:
"We are saddened to hear the news of Dennis Green's passing. Denny was a terrific head coach and inspired his players on and off the field. He helped pave the way for minority coaches and recently served as a key advisor on the NFL's Career Development Advisory Panel. On behalf of the NFL, our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Green family."
The Vikings also released a statement Friday morning.
"We are incredibly saddened by the sudden passing of former Vikings Head Coach Dennis Green. Denny made his mark in ways far beyond being an outstanding football coach. He mentored countless players and served as a father figure for the men he coached. Denny founded the Vikings Community Tuesday Program, a critical initiative that is now implemented across the entire NFL. 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 113 total NFL victories put him in 33rd place all-time on the NFL's wins list. Prior to the NFL, he spent four years as the head coach at Northwestern (1981-1985) and Stanford (1989-1991).
