Cornell Green: key obituary facts
Is Cornell Green dead? Yes. Cornell Green died on October 21, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Cornell Green's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Cornell Green known for?
He was an American football and basketball player.
More about Cornell Green
Born: 10 February 1940.
Place of birth: Oklahoma City.
Gender: male.
Occupation: basketball player, American football player.
Nationality: United States.
Education: El Cerrito High School, Utah State University.
Also known as: Cornell M. Green.
Cornell Green, an American football player, died October 21, 2026, aged 86.
Born Cornell M. Green on February 10, 1940, in Oklahoma City, he was raised in northern California and attended El Cerrito High School.
One of five sons of Elijah and Gladys Green, he was the younger brother of Pumpsie Green, the first African American player for the Boston Red Sox, the last major-league team to integrate. At El Cerrito, Cornell Green earned All-ACAL and All-Northern California recognition in basketball in 1956 and 1957, followed by All-State honors in 1957. He also played one year of high school football, in 1956. At Utah State University, Green became a two-time All-American in basketball, though he did not play college football. He was selected in the 1962 NBA draft but went undrafted in the NFL. Green went on to play defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys for 13 seasons. El Cerrito High School later included him in its Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements in the sports he played there.