Former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green is dead after suffering apparent cardiac arrest.
He was 67-years-old.
"Dennis passed away last night from complications of cardiac arrest," read a statement released by Green's family. "His family was by his side and he fought hard."
ESPN'S Adam Schefter broke the story Friday morning. Green's death was confirmed by family friend and former agent Ray Anderson, who got the news from Green's wife Marie.
Former Vikings and Cardinals coach Dennis Green died early this morning after suffering cardiac arrest, per friend Ray Anderson. He was 67.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2016
Green coached the Vikings from 1992 to 2001, when he was dismissed mid-season. The high point of his career in Minnesota was the 1998 season, when the Vikings went 15-1 and came one game from the Superbowl. The club's overtime loss to Atlanta on a missed field goal in overtime remains an open wound for many Viking fans, who consider that team the most talented to ever wear the purple.
The Vikings released a statement early 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.
His stay in Minnesota was also marked by controversy. In 1997 he at one point threatened to sue team owners in an alleged takeover attempt after rumors he would be fired and replaced by Lou Holtz. Green wrote about the matter in his book called "No room for crybabies."
After being dismissed in 2002 Green took the helm of the Arizona Cardinals for three seasons. His time there was marked by a post-exhibition game rant that was captured on camera and went viral. Green's phrase "They are who we thought they were" became part of American culture, and at one point there were reports he attempted to copywrite the phrase.
During the news conference announcing his departure from the Vikings, Green used another phrase that is often sprinkled into conversation. "If you're looking for Denny Green, you want to find out where Denny Green is... look on the high road," he told reporters. "That's where I'll be... My hand is on the plow."
Coach Green was considered a pioneer as one of the first African American head coaches in both college and professional football.
Reaction to Green's death from the sports world was swift. Former Vikings running back Robert Smith left a hearfelt post on Twitter.
Rest in peace Denny. I lost my mother in April, I feel like I just lost father.
— robert smith (@Robert26Smith) July 22, 2016
Sportswriter Larry Fitzgerald Sr., the father of Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and a close friend of Green's during his tenure in Minnesota, told ESPN's Josina Anderson that he spoke with Green on Thursday.
"Denny was my guy," Fitzgerald said. "He gave me the opportunity to host and produce his radio show eight years ago."
Denny Green was everything a coach should be--passionate, caring & invested in his players' success on/off the field pic.twitter.com/rZvmkm784G
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 22, 2016
Besides his work in the NFL, Dennis Green served as a head coach in the college ranks for both Stanford and Northwestern.
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