Joe Greene facts for kids
Greene with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975
|
|||||||||||
| No. 75 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | September 24, 1946 Elgin, Texas, U.S. |
||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 275 lb (125 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Dunbar (Temple, Texas) | ||||||||||
| College: | North Texas State (1966–1968) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1969 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
|
Pro Football Hall of Fame
|
|||||||||||
|
College Football Hall of Fame
|
|||||||||||
Charles Edward Greene (born September 24, 1946), known as "Mean" Joe Greene, is a famous former football player. He played as a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Joe Greene played from 1969 to 1981.
He won two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also chosen for the All-Pro team five times. Greene played in the Pro Bowl ten times. Many people think he is one of the best defensive linemen ever in the NFL. He was known for being a great leader. He was also very competitive and had an intimidating playing style. This is how he got his nickname.
Joe Greene grew up in Temple, Texas. He went to North Texas State University. There, he was named an All-American player. The Steelers picked him fourth in the 1969 NFL draft. He quickly made a big impact on the team. He was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year. Greene helped coach Chuck Noll turn the Steelers into a winning team. He was a key part of the "Steel Curtain" defense. This defense helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowl championships. They won these titles in just six years.
Throughout his career, Greene was a very strong defensive player. He could easily overpower other offensive linemen. He also stopped their blocking plays. His former teammate, Andy Russell, said Greene was the NFL's best player in the 1970s. Joe Greene is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame. His number 75 jersey is one of only three retired by the Steelers. Greene is also famous for a Coca-Cola commercial. It aired during Super Bowl XIV. This commercial showed him as a tough player who was also a nice guy.
Contents
Early Life and College Football
Charles Edward Greene was born on September 24, 1946, in Elgin, Texas. He played high school football at Dunbar High School in Temple. Even though Greene was very talented, his high school team did not have a great record. Because of this, not many colleges tried to recruit him. Also, colleges in the Southwest Conference were still segregated. This limited his choices even more.
He eventually got a scholarship to play college football. This was at North Texas State University. It is now called the University of North Texas. He played for coach Odus Mitchell from 1966 to 1968. During his three seasons, the team had a record of 23 wins, 15 losses, and 1 tie. As a defensive tackle, he helped limit opposing teams to very few rushing yards. Greene was chosen three times for the All-Missouri Valley Conference team.
In his junior year, Greene married Agnes Craft. She was also a student at North Texas State. They did not have much money, so they got married at Agnes's sister's house. Chuck Beatty, who played with Greene in college and later with the Steelers, was his best man.
As a senior, Greene was chosen as an All-American defensive tackle. This was for the 1968 All-America team. His college coach, Rod Rust, said Greene could make big plays. He also said Greene was fast enough to chase down opponents. A scout said Greene was "tough and mean" and "mobile and hostile."
How Joe Greene Got His Nickname
The name "Mean Greene" comes from North Texas's sports teams. They were called the "Mean Green." But there are different stories about how Joe Greene got this nickname. When he first arrived at North Texas, the university's teams were called the Eagles. In 1966, Greene's first year on the team, they started using the "Mean Green" name.
One story says the nickname came from a cheer. This happened during a 1966 game against UTEP. Sidney Sue Graham, whose husband worked for North Texas sports, cheered, "That's the way, Mean Greene!" She thought of the "Mean Green" defense.
Another story says North Texas basketball players Willie Davis and Ira Daniels started singing. They sang, "Mean Green, you look so good to me." The crowd joined in. Davis said, "A lot of people later on started associating it with Joe because his last name was Greene, but it actually started with that simple chant."
Even though the nickname stuck, Greene himself did not like it. He felt it did not show his true personality. He said, "I just want people to remember me as being a good player and not really mean." He wanted to be remembered for playing 13 years and helping win four championships.
The "Joe" part of his nickname came from his aunt. His real first name was Charles. In a 2014 interview, Greene said his aunt called him Joe. This was because he looked like boxing legend Joe Louis. Joe Louis was a heavyweight boxing champion when Greene was born. Greene said, "She thought I was hefty and bulky enough to be called Joe Louis."
Joe Greene's Professional Football Career
The Pittsburgh Steelers team had many losing seasons before Chuck Noll became head coach in 1969. Noll and the Rooney family, who owned the team, wanted to build a strong defensive line. So, they chose Greene with the fourth pick in the 1969 NFL draft. Fans and media were not happy with this choice. They wanted a more exciting player. Greene was not well-known. Greene himself was also disappointed. He did not want to play for a team that lost so much. He said in 2013, "I did not, did not want to be a Steeler."
But Coach Noll saw great potential in Greene. He insisted on drafting him. Greene quickly became one of the best defensive players in the league. Even though the Steelers finished 1969 with only one win and 13 losses, Greene was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was also invited to his first Pro Bowl.
Former teammate Andy Russell called Greene "unquestionably the NFL's best player in the seventies." He said no player had a bigger impact on their team. Greene and Coach Noll are given credit for turning the Steelers team around. The Steelers improved their record in 1970 and 1971. Greene was invited to the Pro Bowl in both seasons.
In 1972, Pittsburgh finished with 11 wins and 3 losses. They won their first division title. They also won their first playoff game. This was the famous "Immaculate Reception" game. During that season, Greene had 11 quarterback sacks. He also had 42 solo tackles. He was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula praised Greene. He said, "He's just a super super star." By this time, Noll had built a very strong defense.
With the addition of defensive tackle Ernie Holmes in 1972, the Steelers formed the "Steel Curtain" defense. This famous defensive line included Greene, Holmes, L. C. Greenwood, and Dwight White. Greene was invited to the Pro Bowl for 1973. White and Greenwood also joined him on the team.
Greene won his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award after the 1974 season. He was the first player to win this award more than once. That year, he started a new way of playing. He would line up at a sharp angle between the guard and center. This confused the other team's blocking. His coaches were unsure at first. But he used it in a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. It worked very well. The Bills' star running back, O. J. Simpson, only gained 48 yards.
The next week, the Steelers played the Oakland Raiders. Greene played against All-Pro center Jim Otto. At one point, Greene threw Otto to the ground. He then sacked quarterback Ken Stabler. Oakland only gained 29 rushing yards. The Steelers won 24–13. On January 12, 1975, the Steelers won their first Super Bowl. They beat the Minnesota Vikings 16–6 in Super Bowl IX. In that game, Greene had an interception. He also forced a fumble and recovered another fumble. This was one of the best defensive Super Bowl performances ever. Pittsburgh held the Vikings to very few total yards.
Greene missed four games in 1975 because of a pinched nerve. This ended his streak of 91 straight games started. In December 1975, he and the other "Steel Curtain" members were on the cover of Time magazine. After leading the Steelers to another Super Bowl win in 1975, Greene missed the start of the 1976 season. This was due to a back injury. The Steelers started the season with only one win and four losses. It looked like they would not make the playoffs.
Greene returned, and the Steelers' defense helped the team win nine games in a row. They made the playoffs. The 1976 Steelers defense is considered one of the best ever. They allowed opponents to score less than 10 points per game. During their nine-game winning streak, the defense had five shutouts. They allowed only two touchdowns in those nine games. The Steelers lost to the Raiders in the AFC championship game that year.
By 1977, Greene was the captain of the Steelers defense. Some people thought he was not as good because of his injuries. But he returned strong in 1978. He led all Pittsburgh linemen in tackles. He had four sacks and five fumble recoveries. The Steelers defense allowed the fewest points in the league that season. They went on to win Super Bowl XIII against the Cowboys. In that game, Greene had one of Pittsburgh's five sacks of Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach.
Pittsburgh finished the 1979 season with 12 wins and 4 losses. Their defense was second best in total defense. Greene was named a first-team All-Pro. He was also invited to his last Pro Bowl. He was named the NFL's Man of the Year. This was for his good work off the field. In the AFC championship game, the Steelers stopped NFL MVP Earl Campbell. Pittsburgh then beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. This was their fourth Super Bowl title. Greene now had four Super Bowl rings. He famously said, "one for the thumb," hoping for a fifth championship. But the Steelers did not reach the playoffs in his last two seasons.
Greene retired as a player after the 1981 season. He played in 181 games out of a possible 190. He had 77.5 sacks and 16 fumble recoveries. After he retired, the Steelers changed their defense. They started using a 3–4 defensive alignment. This uses only one nose tackle instead of two defensive tackles. The team has used this defense ever since Greene retired.
Joe Greene's Playing Style
Joe Greene's nickname stayed popular because of how he played. He was described as fierce and intimidating on the field. He made opponents scared with his intense playing. In his early years with the Steelers, Greene sometimes lost his temper. He was very competitive.
Greene and middle linebacker Jack Lambert became the emotional leaders of Pittsburgh's defense. Greene was a huge presence both on and off the field. Joe Gordon from the Steelers front office remembered a time when a teammate was complaining loudly. Greene just looked at him silently. Gordon said, "I think the other player just felt it, and then he sat down and never said another word." Greene was a natural leader. He was named captain of the defense in 1977. He also helped the offense. Lynn Swann, a wide receiver, saw Greene as a mentor. Swann said, "If you were giving less than 100 percent, he let you know."
Acting and Commercials
The Famous Coca-Cola Commercial
Greene appeared in a very famous commercial for Coca-Cola. It first aired on October 1, 1979. It was also shown during Super Bowl XIV on January 20, 1980. This advertisement won an award in 1980. It is considered one of the best TV commercials ever. The commercial helped change how people saw Greene. He was seen as a tough football player who was also a kind person.
Other Acting Roles
Besides the Coca-Cola commercial, Greene also acted in other roles. One of his first acting jobs was in The Black Six. This movie starred other NFL players. Greene also played himself in the movie ...All The Marbles. He was in a TV movie about his teammate Rocky Bleier, called Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story. He also appeared in Smokey and the Bandit II. In that movie, he was told to "tackle that car" by Terry Bradshaw. He then "tackled" a police car, flipping it over.
Coaching and Later Life
After retiring from playing, Greene worked as a TV commentator for one year. Then, in 1987, he became an assistant coach for the Steelers. He worked as an assistant coach for 16 years. He coached for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1991), Miami Dolphins (1991–1995), and Arizona Cardinals (1996–2003).
In 2004, he stopped coaching. He became a special assistant for player personnel for the Steelers. In this job, he earned his fifth Super Bowl ring. This was after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. He also earned a sixth ring from Super Bowl XLIII. Greene is one of only four people outside the Rooney family to have Super Bowl rings from the Steelers' first six championships. He retired from his front office job with the Steelers in 2013.
In 2014, Greene was featured in an episode of the NFL Network show A Football Life. This show told the story of his life and career. As of 2024, he lives in Flower Mound, Texas. His wife of 47 years, Agnes, passed away in 2015. They had three children. He has since remarried to Charlotte Greene. Greene is known as "Papa Joe" to his seven grandchildren. In 2017, Greene released his autobiography called Mean Joe Greene: Built by Football.
In 2018, Greene started the Agnes Lucille Craft Greene Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors his late wife. It is given each year to students from Texas whose parents have battled cancer.
Joe Greene's Legacy
Joe Greene is known as one of the most dominant players ever in the NFL. Many people think he is one of the greatest defensive linemen in the league's history. He was very durable. He played in 181 out of 190 possible games. This included a streak of 91 straight games at the start of his career. The "Steel Curtain" defense is always ranked among the best defensive groups of all time. After the death of L. C. Greenwood in 2013, Greene is the last living member of the "Steel Curtain."
Honors After His Playing Career
- In 1984, Greene was added to the College Football Hall of Fame. He is the only former UNT player to receive this honor.
- His number 75 jersey is retired by the North Texas football team. He was also inducted into the UNT Hall of Fame in 1981.
- He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
- The Hall of Fame Selection Committee named Greene to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. This team honors the best players of that decade. In 1994, he was chosen for the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. This team recognized the greatest players from the NFL's first 75 years.
- In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Greene as the 14th greatest player of all time. He was ranked 13th on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players by the NFL Network in 2010.
- Greene is considered one of the greatest players in Steelers team history. His number 75 jersey was officially retired on November 2, 2014. This happened during the Steelers' game against the Baltimore Ravens. Greene also briefly wore number 72 as a rookie. He then switched to his famous number 75. He is only the third Steeler to have his jersey formally retired. The others are Ernie Stautner and Franco Harris. However, the Steelers had not given out number 75 since Greene retired. It was understood that no Steeler would ever wear it again.
- The University of North Texas, Greene's college, put up a statue of him in 2018. It is outside Apogee Stadium. Greene is seen as the most famous person to graduate from UNT.
- In 2015, the Mean Joe Greene Community Football Field was named in his honor. This was in his hometown of Temple, Texas.
- In 2019, Greene was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. This team honored the greatest players from the NFL's first 100 years.
See also
In Spanish: Joe Greene para niños
