Minnesota Vikings

Former Vikings Pro Bowl QB Wilson dies at 60

Published Feb. 1, 2019 5:40 p.m. ET

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys say former NFL quarterback and longtime assistant coach Wade Wilson has died.

The Cowboys said Wilson passed away Friday at his home in Coppell, Texas. The team didn't specify a cause of death for Wilson, who died on his 60th birthday.

Wilson played for five NFL teams from 1981-98. He played 10 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to the 1987 NFC championship game. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons (1992), New Orleans Saints (1993-94), Cowboys (1995-97) and Oakland Raiders (1998). He was Troy Aikman's backup when the Cowboys won their last Super Bowl title during the 1995 season.

An eighth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 1981, Wilson appeared in 76 games for Minnesota, with 48 starts. In 1988 he led the NFL with a 61.4 completion percentage, throwing for 2,746 yards and 15 touchdowns, both career highs. Wilson was named to his lone Pro Bowl that year.

Wilson is fourth on the Vikings' all-time passing yards list, with 12,135, and is also fourth in passing touchdowns, with 66.

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Wilson began his coaching career as the Cowboys quarterback coach from 2000-02, and returned to that role from 2007-17. He coached with the Chicago Bears from 2004-06.