Cornelius Greene facts for kids
| Position: | Quarterback |
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| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 21, 1954 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 |
| NFL Draft: | 1976 / Round: 11 / Pick: 318 |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Cornelius Greene (born January 21, 1954) is a former American college football player. He was a talented quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 1973, he made history as the first African American quarterback to start for Ohio State. He was named an All-American and the Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1975.
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Growing Up: Cornelius Greene's Early Life
Cornelius Greene was born in 1954 in Washington, D.C.. When he was nine years old, he was at the Washington Monument. He heard Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous 'I have a dream' speech. This powerful moment deeply inspired Greene. It gave him strength and hope for his future.
He later went to Dunbar High School. There, he was a multi-sport athlete. He played basketball, baseball, and football. In football, he was both a quarterback and a defensive player.
College Football Star: Ohio State Career
In 1972, Greene received a football scholarship to Ohio State University. He played under the famous coach Woody Hayes. In 1973, as a sophomore, he became the starting quarterback. This was a very important moment. He was the first African American to start as quarterback for Ohio State.
Being the first was not easy. Greene faced many challenges. But he showed great courage and leadership. That season, he led the 1973 team to an amazing undefeated season. They had 10 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie. He also won the 1974 Rose Bowl MVP award.
In 1975, during his senior year, Greene continued to shine. He was named a first-team All-American. He also won the Big Ten Most Valuable Player award. His teammate, Archie Griffin, had won the award the two years before. Griffin then became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy twice.
Greene's college record was impressive: 31 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie. He helped his team win four Big Ten Conference championships. He also played in four Rose Bowl games, starting in three of them. In 1998, he was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was also inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.
Even though his teams focused on running the ball, Greene set records. For many years, he held the record for most career passing yards at Ohio State. He completed 138 of 251 passes (55.0 percent) for 2,255 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 409 times for 2,014 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Life After College: Professional Career
After college, the Dallas Cowboys picked Greene in the 1976 1976 NFL draft. They wanted him to play as a wide receiver. However, he was released by the Cowboys in August 1976. The Seattle Seahawks then claimed him, but he was released again before the season started.
Greene later tried out for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League in 1976. He signed with them in 1977 but was released before the season began. He then played for teams in the Midwest Football League, like the Columbus Stingers and the Columbus Metros. He played wide receiver for the Metros in 1979.
Cornelius Greene's Life Today
In 1982, Cornelius Greene moved back to his hometown of Washington, D.C. He started working for the city. He also managed a recreation center, helping his community. Today, he is a faculty member and a multi-sport coach at St. Albans School. He continues to inspire young athletes.
