Top 5 moments of Dennis Green’s career
By Hunter Cooke
5. THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE
On October 16th, 2006, the undefeated Chicago Bears came to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona to face Dennis Green’s struggling Cardinals on Monday Night Football. The Cards were 1-4, and the pressure to win was mounting for Green, who had been heralded as a man who can turn franchises around.
The Cardinals lost in dramatic and embarrassing fashion. They led the Bears by 14 at the end of the first quarter, and took a 20-0 lead into halftime. Bears quarterback Rex Grossman was playing horrifically, throwing two picks and fumbling twice.
The Bears came out and scored a field goal, and the Cardinals answered with one of their own. It would be the last time the Cardinals scored. The Bears won off the strength of their world-class defense, led by Brian Urlacher, and a Devin Hester punt return. The Cardinals completely melted down, only allowing three points on defense but ultimately losing the game.
Green was infuriated, and sounded off in what is now a legendary tirade.
The rant went viral almost immediately, and was featured in a Coors Light commercial the next season. It’s up there with Jim Mora’s “PLAYOFFS?!” rant as one of the best NFL rants of all time.
Next: 4. Northwestern - Big 10 Coach of the Year