44 Facts About Joe Greene

1.

Joe Greene was noted for his leadership, fierce competitiveness, and intimidating style of play for which he earned his nickname.

2.

Joe Greene was drafted by the Steelers fourth overall in the 1969 NFL Draft and made an immediate impact with the team, as he was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

3.

Joe Greene is credited with providing the foundation upon which Steelers coach Chuck Noll turned the dismal franchise into a sports dynasty.

4.

Joe Greene was the centerpiece of the "Steel Curtain" defense that led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl championships in a six-year span.

5.

Charles Edward Joe Greene was born September 24,1946, in Temple, Texas.

6.

Joe Greene played high school football at Dunbar High School in Temple.

7.

Joe Greene's options were limited further due to segregation of the Southwest Conference.

Related searches
Chuck Noll Lynn Swann
8.

Joe Greene was eventually offered a scholarship to play college football at North Texas State University, where he played on the varsity team from 1966 to 1968.

9.

The selection proved unpopular with fans and media, who were hoping for a player that would generate excitement; the relatively unknown Joe Greene did not appear to meet their expectations.

10.

Meanwhile, Joe Greene, who was highly competitive, was disappointed he was picked by a team that had such a reputation for losing.

11.

Noll saw immense potential in Joe Greene and insisted on drafting him.

12.

Joe Greene was invited to the Pro Bowl in both seasons.

13.

Joe Greene was invited to the Pro Bowl for 1973, joining White and Greenwood on the American Football Conference roster.

14.

Joe Greene won his second AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award after the 1974 season, becoming the first player to receive the award multiple times.

15.

Joe Greene's coaches were at first skeptical of the tactic and did not allow him to try it during the regular season.

16.

Joe Greene first implemented it against the Buffalo Bills in the division championship game.

17.

At one point Joe Greene, consumed by emotions, kicked Otto in the groin.

18.

Later, on a third-down play, Joe Greene threw Otto to the ground with one arm before leaping to sack quarterback Ken Stabler.

19.

In that game, lined up against center Mick Tingelhoff, Joe Greene recorded an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in what is considered one of the greatest individual defensive Super Bowl performances.

20.

Joe Greene missed four games in 1975 due to a pinched nerve, snapping a streak of 91 straight games started since he entered the league.

21.

Joe Greene returned and the Steelers defense carried the team to nine-straight wins and the playoffs.

22.

Joe Greene was never again able to attain the same success as a pass rusher after his pinched nerve in 1975.

23.

In that contest, Joe Greene had one of Pittsburgh's five sacks of Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach.

24.

Joe Greene was named a first-team All-Pro by the Pro Football Writers Association and Pro Football Weekly and was invited to his final Pro Bowl.

25.

Joe Greene was deemed the NFL's Man of the Year in recognition of his off-field contributions.

Related searches
Chuck Noll Lynn Swann
26.

Joe Greene's wish went unfulfilled as the Steelers failed to reach the playoffs in each of his final two seasons.

27.

Joe Greene finished his career having played in 181 out of a possible 190 games, and recorded 77.5 sacks and 16 fumble recoveries.

28.

Joe Greene's nickname remained popular due to his exploits on the playing field, where he was described as ferocious and intimidating.

29.

Joe Greene instilled fear in opponents with the intensity of his play.

30.

On one occasion during a 1975 game against the rival Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Joe Greene repeatedly kicked Browns lineman Bob McKay in the groin while McKay was lying on the ground.

31.

Joe Greene punched Denver Broncos guard Paul Howard and spat at quarterback Fran Tarkenton, and he frequently clashed with officials.

32.

Joe Greene was described as a huge presence both on and off the field.

33.

At a nearby locker, Joe Greene lifted his head and silently glared at him.

34.

Joe Greene's leadership was channeled to the offense; Lynn Swann, a wide receiver, considered Greene a mentor.

35.

Joe Greene appeared in a famous commercial for Coca-Cola that debuted on October 1,1979, and was aired during Super Bowl XIV on January 20,1980.

36.

Joe Greene spent the next 16 years as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals.

37.

Joe Greene is one of four people outside the Rooney family to have Super Bowl rings from the first six championship seasons.

38.

Joe Greene retired from his position in the Steelers front office in 2013.

39.

In 2014, Joe Greene was the subject of an episode of the NFL Network documentary series A Football Life, which chronicled his life and career.

40.

In 2017, Greene released an autobiography entitled Mean Joe Greene: Built by Football.

41.

In 2018 Joe Greene set up the Agnes Lucille Craft Joe Greene Memorial Scholarship in honor of his late wife.

42.

Joe Greene is recognized as one of the most dominant players to ever play in the NFL.

43.

Joe Greene is widely considered one of the greatest defensive linemen in league history.

44.

Joe Greene's durability allowed him to play in 181 of a possible 190 games, including a streak of 91 straight to begin his career.