A ferocious intention and tenacity off the sting, Kevin Greene’s historic levels of success came more from determination and keenness for the sport than any otherworldly physical attributes.
He was a personality for the autumns, who roared when he spoke and together with his play, grinned ear to ear and had wide eyes when a quarterback was near.
One of the foremost prolific pass rushers to ever grace the gridiron, Greene, a professional Football Hall of Famer, died Monday. He was just 58.
No explanation for death has been announced.
A class of 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Greene’s 15-season NFL career was highlighted by 160 sacks, which stands because the third-highest total united lore.
The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker said during a statement. “I regarded him as a private friend and a real Hall of Famer in every sense.
“He possessed the foremost incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was an excellent player, but quite that, he was an excellent man. Our condolences and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. we’ll forever keep his legacy alive to function inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag are going to be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”
Upon a storied and successful NFL run, Greene’s 15 seasons saw him gather the aforementioned 160 sacks, which trail only Bruce Smith (200) and Reggie White (198). Greene produced an eye-popping 10 double-digit sack seasons that led to 5 Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections and a spot on the Hall of Fame’s All-1990s Team.
Greene’s NFL career began with eight seasons within the Rams organizations after he was selected within the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft, but he would make an impression with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers — playing three seasons apiece — also . He also played a season with the San Francisco 49ers.
“We lost a tremendous player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene. His overtime may be a shock to us all as he was an in depth friend and teammate to numerous people within the Steelers family,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said during a statement. “When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993 he had an instantaneous impact. Paired with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became referred to as Blitzburgh and went on to play in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm were inspiring for our team also as our fans.
“My condolences leave to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their children and therefore the entire Greene family during this most difficult time. they’re going to always be members of the Steelers family and in our thoughts and prayers.”
A true success story driven by resolve, Greene was a walk-on at Auburn prior before joining the Rams, where the longer term Hall of Famer didn’t start a game until his fourth NFL season in 1988, when he registered 16.5 sacks — a career-high that he matched the very next season.
In 1993, Greene joined the Steelers and played an enormous role in Pittsburgh’s eventual run to Super Bowl XXX, where the Steelers fell to the Cowboys. He moved on to the Panthers to rejoin head coach Dom Capers, who had been his defensive coordinator previously for 2 seasons in Pittsburgh, blossoming within the 3-4 scheme.
Greene’s greatness came into deem his career wore on, a sack master who terrorized opposing quarterbacks and twice led the league in sacks, consistent within the chaos he created within the backfield regardless of his age.
