If you’re talking accolades, Joe Greene is right up there with any name in history. Ten trips to the Pro Bowl, five All-Pro selections, four Super Bowls, Rookie of the Year, twice named Defensive Player of the Year, a No. 13 ranking on NFL.com all-time best players list and the best commercial this side of “Bo Knows.”
“Mean Joe” was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and to this day, serves as arguably the greatest player in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the face of a decade-long defensive onslaught as the leader of the famed “Steel Curtain.” He weighed 275 pounds and played defensive tackle! That’s not much more than James Harrison, an outside linebacker, weighs.
More than anything, though, Greene seemed to capture the essence of the city of Pittsburgh. Blue-collar, hardworking, industrial; the North Texas product was the everyman’s hero.
Teresa Varley of Steelers.com discussed and reflected on Greene’s career, seeking anecdotes from former associates of Greene. Art Shell, a Hall of Fame offensive linemen who spent much of his time engaged with Greene in the Raiders-Steelers rivalries of the 70’s, gave perhaps the most sparkling recognition of all:
“His play was intimidating. You would see him walk on the field and he would give you that little sneering smile he had, and he would get a little laugh. Once that ball was snapped, you knew it was a war. He came and brought it every time. You knew you were in a physical battle the whole game.”
In fact, the Steelers, to this day, are still reeling from Greene’s loss. Prior to 1982, Pittsburgh operated with two defensive tackles in a 4-3 set. Since 1982, Pittsburgh has stuck with a 3-4 scheme with only one defensive tackle. In essence, Greene’s position hasn’t been replaced since his retirement in 1981. Greene helped anchor a historically great defensive unit and he is unquestionably the greatest No. 4 overall draft pick in NFL history.
His long-lasting impact is still being felt around the city of Pittsburgh, and his legacy in the minds and hearts of Pittsburgh faithful isn’t likely to diminish anytime soon.
