Even though both men did the best work of their respective careers there, Ennis Haywood and Dexter Green were on the Jack Trice Stadium turf on the same day only once.

Green was inducted into the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2000 and was introduced to a crowd of 35,408 at halftime of the Cyclones’ game against UNLV Sept. 9.

Haywood ran for 108 yards that day, a 37—22 ISU win, on his way to his first All-Big 12 honors. Green, who racked up 3,437 yards in the early days of what was then Cyclone Stadium, returned home after the game. Green finished his career as Iowa State’s leading rusher (he now ranks third). Haywood is in fifth place.

The two men, two of the best running backs in Iowa State history, died in unrelated episodes May 11.

Haywood played for the Cyclones from 1998—2000. He died in Arlington, Texas, after a brief hospitalization. Haywood was a member of the Dallas Cowboys. He was 23 years old.

Dexter Green played at Iowa State from 1975—1978. He died at home in Columbus, Ohio, after an 18-month battle with stomach cancer. He was 46 years old.

Haywood ran for 2,862 yards in his Cyclone career — two years as a backup to Darren Davis and two as a first team All-Big 12 starter at tailback.

During Iowa State’s 9—3 2000 season, which included the Cyclones’ only bowl victory in history, Haywood ran for 1,237 yards, the ninth highest single-season total in school history. He also earned first-team All-Big 12 honors for the first time.

Only Troy Davis has gained more yards per carry as a Cyclone than Haywood, averaging 5.6 yards per carry to Haywood’s 5.0.

Green gained 3,437 yards and scored 34 touchdowns on the ground in his career and took the Cyclones to two bowl games, tallying more than 100 yards rushing in both. He gained All-Big Eight honors twice and All-American status once, in 1978. His 228 points rank second on the ISU all-time career scoring chart.

Haywood was entering his second season with the Dallas Cowboys after signing as an undrafted free agent following the 2002 NFL Draft. He spent the 2002 season on the Cowboys’ practice squad after leading them in rushing during the preseason.

This preseason, Haywood was expected to compete for a spot on the Cowboys’ 53-man regular season roster. He had no known serious health problems before his death — he completed a team physical one week prior.

He is survived by his parents, Ennis Sr. and Carol; his high school sweetheart and wife, Kristal; 3-year-old daughter Ennicia and the family’s newest member, Haven Haywood — born June 19, five weeks after Ennis’ death.