PITTSBURGH (KDKA / AP) – Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kevin Greene has passed away at the age of 58, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Monday.
No cause of death was given.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns Kevin Greene’s death,” said David Baker, Hall of Fame president and CEO. “I considered him a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every way. He had the most incredible attitude of anyone I’ve ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will keep his legacy alive forever to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be hung at half mast in Kevin’s memory. “
Hall of Famer Kevin Greene has passed away at the age of 58.
We will keep his legacy in the game alive in the Pro Football Hall of Fame forever.
Read: https://t.co/ORTudjGzeu#HOFForever | @RTLnews | @Panthers | @steelers | @ 49ers pic.twitter.com/VWRCKADGZQ
– Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 21, 2020
The linebacker spent three years in Pittsburgh during his 15-year career from 1993-95. Greene was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
Greene was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
RELATED STORY: Pittsburgh Steelers Nation Remembers Linebacker Kevin Greene
“We lost a great player and person this morning with the death of Kevin Greene,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “His sudden death comes as a shock to all of us as he was a good friend and teammate to so many people in the Steelers family.
“When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993, he had an immediate impact. Coupled with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became known as Blitzburg and went on to play in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm have been inspiring to both our team and our fans.
My condolences go out to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their children, and the entire Greene family at this most difficult time. They will always be members of the Steelers family and our thoughts and prayers. ”
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II on Kevin Greene’s death: pic.twitter.com/QkbM6gYyI
– Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 21, 2020
Known for his long blonde locks, his relentless pursuit of the quarterback and his ubiquitous charisma – which helped him in his brief career as a professional wrestler – Greene made the most of his skills.
“I wasn’t the biggest (and) I wasn’t the fastest,” Greene once said. “But as long as you have a bike, you have a heart … that will overcome any physical limitations.”
Greene regularly used film study to look for an opponent’s weakness.
“I’ve figured out how to get through the rush,” Greene said. “I figured out how to put a guy, an offensive tackle three to four inches longer and 80 pounds heavier, into a fail position, and I did.”
A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl roster, Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, which ranks third in league history behind only Bruce Smith (200) and Reggie White (198). He also had 23 forced fumbles and five interceptions.
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