Former NFL head coach Denny Green passed away Friday morning at the age of 67, a friend of his confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Denny reportedly died from cardiac arrest.

Green coached in the NFL from 1992 to 2006, most famously leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 15-1 record in 1998. That was a year after I was born.

Denny for me was more than just another coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He was the first one that I ever knew. Denny was the layer of the foundation of my love for this amazing sport. He pushed for the team to draft my childhood hero in Randy Moss. The first football player I ever knew.

I don’t remember a lot about those early days of watching football, but it’s hard to forget Denny. He was outspoken, he was firm in what he preached. He was a hell of an offensive mind too. That 1998 season was unbelievable. His tutelage of Daunte Culpepper allowed the young QB to become one of the best dual threat QB’s in the NFL for a few years there. Randy and Cris, Robert Smith, and so much more.

Those team’s wouldn’t have clicked without Coach. He was not only a great story of a coach, but a great story of an African American man working his way up to almost leading a team to a Super Bowl in a time when the NFL was not looking to hire African American coaches.

He helped teach Tony Dungy, Brian Billick too. He was a teacher, a friend, and a hell of a football coach.

I know so many people who probably wouldn’t have even been a Vikings fan without Denny. He is a name that may have faded from the lips and minds of Vikings fans, but his impact on this franchise is unforgettable.

To many, you’re known just for a soundbite. But for so many fans, you gave us the love of this team that we have. We won’t ever forget you Denny.