Former Cardinals and Vikings coach Dennis Green, 67, passed away this morning after suffering cardiac arrest, ESPN reports. Green finished his coaching career with the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions in 2011 after 13 seasons in the NFL and stints as the head coach at Stanford and Northwestern.Minnesota made eight playoff appearances in Green's 10 seasons as head coach, reaching the NFC Championship game in 1998—after a 15-1 season—and again in 2000.Green will be remembered by many fans for his fiery, furious rant after the Cardinals blew a lead against the Bears in Week 6 of 2006, but his impact on the game, and the players and coaches he worked with, transcends his most meme-able moment. Green was "a great motivator of men," in the words of Mike Tice, who was Green's offensive line coach in Minnesota and later succeeded him as head coach. "Great teacher of coaches. Excellent eye for talent. I hadn't seen Denny in years, but I find myself quoting him: 'Plan your work and work your plan.' He taught me a lot."Robert Smith—who played under Green with the Vikings from 1993 to 2000—mentioned that Green was like a father to him.As an African-American head coach at a time when few people of color could even get an interview, Green was also a pioneer. "I know one thing," Green said in 1984, when he was the only black head coach in Division I. "There are good black coaches who deserve the chance to move up. Many of them. And I'm tired of hearing that old excuse that they're not out there." By proving that old bit of prejudice wrong, and succeeding at a time when opportunities for success were so few, Green left a legacy that goes beyond any rant. Although it was admittedly a pretty great rant.Rest in peace Denny. I lost my mother in April, I feel like I just lost father.
— robert smith (@Robert26Smith) July 22, 2016