LOGAN, Utah – Former Utah State men's basketball great and Utah State Athletics Hall of Famer Cornell Green passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 21. He was 86 years old. 

Green is one of the most remarkable figures in Utah State history. A two-time All-American in 1961 and 1962, Green holds the school's records for both career rebounds (1,067) and single-season rebounds (403, 13.9 per game in 1960). His 1,890 career points rank sixth-most all-time at USU. Green helped lead the Aggies to the NIT semifinals in 1960 and the NCAA Tournament in 1962, when the team finished 8th in the AP Poll — the highest final ranking in team history.

Following his career at Utah State, Green was selected in the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zephyrs, but instead opted to accept a training camp invitation from the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Despite having never played a down of college football, and playing only one season of football during his junior year of high school, Green went on to become one of the greatest defensive backs in Cowboys team history. 

During his 13-year NFL career, all of which was spent with the Cowboys, Green never missed a single game. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team all-pro. He played in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl VI, and recorded 34 career interceptions, a mark which is still tied for fifth in team history nearly 50 years later.  

After his playing career, Green spent decades as an NFL scout for both the Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, earning AFC Scout of the Year honors in 2010. As a scout for the Broncos, he helped the team capture 11 division titles, six AFC Championships and three Super Bowls.

Green was part of the inaugural Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame class in 1993.

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