| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1954-01-21)January 21, 1954 (age 71) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Dunbar (Washington, D.C.) |
| College: | Ohio State |
| Position: | Quarterback |
| NFL draft: | 1976: 11th round, 318th pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Cornelius Greene (born January 21, 1954) is an American formercollege football player who was aquarterback for theOhio State Buckeyes. In 1973, he was the first African American quarterback to everstart for Ohio State, and was anAll-American and theBig Ten Most Valuable Player in 1975.
Greene was born in 1954 and grew up inWashington, D.C. At 9 years old, Greene was at theWashington Monument the dayMartin Luther King gave his 'I have a dream' speech. This day changed the course of his entire life, giving him the strength to carry on, using it as his beacon of hope.[1]
He later attendedDunbar High School, where he played basketball, baseball and football, playingquarterback and also playing defense for his high school football team.
In 1972, he accepted afootball scholarship fromOhio State University, to play under head coachWoody Hayes.[2] As a sophomore in 1973, he was named the starter at quarterback over Greg Hare, becoming the first African American starting quarterback at Ohio State.[3][4] After winning the position, Greene received upwards of 50 hate letters a week, and consistent death threats.[5] That season he led the1973 team to an undefeated season, 10–0–1, and won the1974 Rose Bowl MVP. As a senior in 1975, he was named a first-teamAll-American and wonBig Ten Most Valuable Player. His teammateArchie Griffin, who had won the two previous MVP's, missed winning a third straight, instead became the first two-timeHeisman Trophy winner.[6] In 1975, Greene wonTeam MVP by one vote, denying Archie Griffin a third straight award. Griffin graciously voted for Greene that year.
Greene compiled a 31–3–1 record, winning fourBig Ten Conference championships, and playing in fourRose Bowls, three as the starting quarterback. In recognition of his career accomplishments, he was inducted into theOhio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, also honored with the induction into theRose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019.[7]
Although his teams were based on run-oriented offenses, he still held the record of most career passing yards in school history for many years. He finished with 138-of-251 (55.0 percent) attempts for 2,255 yards and 17 touchdowns, while having 409 carries for 2,014 yards (4.9 YPC) and 28 touchdowns.[8]
Greene was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the eleventh round (318th overall) of the1976 NFL draft to play him atwide receiver. He was waived on August 23, 1976.[9] He was claimed off waivers by theSeattle Seahawks the next day.[10] He was waived again before the start of the regular season on September 7.[11] Greene joined theBC Lions of theCanadian Football League in October 1967 for a five-day tryout,[12] but did not sign a contract.[13]
He signed a contract with the Lions after the season in March 1977.[14] He was released before the start of the regular season in June.[15] He signed with theColumbus Stingers of theMidwest Football League in July.[16]
Greene played with the Columbus Metros in theMidwest Football League in 1978.[17] The Metros joined theMid-Atlantic Football League in 1979, and he played wide receiver for Columbus.[18]
In 1982, he moved back to his hometown of Washington, D.C., to work for the city and to manage a recreation center. He is a faculty member and multi-sport coach at St. Albans School.