Wade Wilson, a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings at the time, smiles at the start of a practice in Tucson, Ariz., in January 1988.DALLAS – Wade Wilson, who quarterbacked the Minnesota Vikings to an NFC championship game and coached the position with the Dallas Cowboys for more than a decade, died Friday on his 60th birthday.
Wilson died at his home in the Dallas suburb of Coppell. Police said a 911 call was made from Wilson’s home, where the caller said Wilson was unresponsive and CPR was in progress. Emergency personnel determined upon arrival that Wilson was dead.
Police said there was no indication of foul play but that the death was under investigation.
“Wade was a cherished and valued member of our organization as a player, a coach and a wonderful friend,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “This is a sad day for all members of the Cowboys family as we have lost a truly great man.”
Wilson played for five NFL teams from 1981 to 1998. He played 10 seasons for the Vikings, leading them to the NFC title game during the 1987 season. They lost to 17-10 to the Washington Redskins, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Minnesota made the playoffs the next two seasons as well.