Joe greene where is he now

In , he was the first defensive player named to the NFL's th anniversary all-time team. During a interview with NFL Films, Greene said that his aunt nicknamed him Joe due to his resemblance to boxing legend Joe Louis, who at the time of Greene's birth was in the middle of his year reign as heavyweight champion.

During the season, members of the team's coaching staff started a chant in support of the defense that would later become the school's official nickname. So it caught on. The media began referring to the Eagles ' defense as "Mean Green" in print in The nickname became used for the entire team in In , each sports team at the school took on the Mean Green nickname.

For Greene, the nickname followed him to Pittsburgh, who selected him with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Greene hated losing, so it was understandable that he wasn't thrilled about joining a Steelers team that had gone the previous season.

And while first-year coach Chuck Noll would eventually turn the Steelers into champions, his first team would win their first game The first loss, a setback in Philadelphia, set Greene into a fit of rage. After the Eagles clinched the game with a first down, Greene took the ball and threw it into the stands.

His actions inspired Dan Rooney, the son of Steelers founder Art Rooney who was in his first season as the team's general manager. If he's that intense that he's going to do something like that, we've got a guy that we want," recalled Rooney, who passed away in after spending 27 years as the team's president and 28 years as owner.

Greene's competitive fire nearly led to him leaving the Steelers during the '74 season. After a loss to the Oilers in Week 12 dropped the Steelers to , Greene watched from home the following night as the two-time defending champion Dolphins dismantled the Bengals. Tell him it's okay. Fats returned to the action. Today is Joe Greene's birthday. His 75th birthday. Whether or not you're old enough to have seen Joe Greene play, or your exposure to his career only has been through NFL Films and books such as Cope's memoir and Rooney's memoir, take a moment today, Sept.

And if you are a Steelers fan, understand that when it comes to players, Joe Greene is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben: 'Don't ever take a win against these guys here for granted; it's always hard fought and special'. Labriola On. Bob Labriola Steelers. Ready or not, here it comes:. Take a look at photos of Joe Greene's career to celebrate his 75th birthday. This Ad will close in 3. Related Content. One week after leaving the game with a concussion, Boswell delivered in a victory.

Of his five catches, two were TDs and a third provided the final 13 yards for the deciding FG. Tomlin: 'A lot to be excited about in terms of what he might be able to contribute to us'. Roethlisberger to Garrett: 'He can keep the tombstone in his yard; I'll take the win. Tomlin: 'Fundamentally, guys have got to be in gaps, and guys have got to tackle well'. Watt stepped up with this strip-sack in overtime to become the hero the Steelers needed.

I think he was the best Steelers player ever. The battles were always fun, a lot of pushing and shoving, a little trash talking afterwards. We had a lot of banter, a lot of fun. 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. Greene followed that up with an interception and fumble recovery in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX, the first of four Super Bowl wins he would be instrumental in.

Without the fans it is something different and we certainly appreciate and love you for that. And you have impacted my life because you are important.