Cornell Green never played a down of college football, yet he suited up for every single Dallas Cowboys game for thirteen straight seasons. Green died at 86, the team announced Wednesday. From 1962 to 1974 he played all 182 regular-season games and 15 playoff games, earned five Pro Bowl nods, and won a Super Bowl with the 1971 squad.

His path to Dallas was anything but conventional. Green starred in basketball at Utah State, where he remains the career rebounding leader, and was an NBA draft pick before choosing the NFL. He played cornerback for his first eight seasons and safety for his last five, finishing with 34 interceptions, tied for fifth in franchise history.

The Cowboys remembered him as a trailblazer and one of the most dependable teammates to ever wear the star. After retiring, Green scouted for Dallas and later the Denver Broncos. For a community where football is part of the identity, his story of grit and reliability is one worth passing along. What’s your favorite memory of those Doomsday Defense teams?