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Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene

By Russell S. Baxter

Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kevin Greene at press conference to announce the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kevin Greene at press conference to announce the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the second consecutive year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members. Here we take a look at pass rusher Kevin Greene.

The first weekend in August is always a special time for football fans. Training camps are in full swing, the preseason kicks off this Sunday and there’s hope for all 32 NFL teams.

There is also this little event called the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony. It celebrates the accomplishments of the men who have made this a great game, be it as a player, coach or administrator.

For the second straight year, there are eight legends in the class. The proud city of Canton, Ohio welcomes owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace, quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel.

We will take a look at the magnificent careers of each of these men as each receives the ultimate honor when it comes to their place in football history.

11 Nov 1990: Linebacker Kevin Greene of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the New York Giants at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Giants won the game, 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
11 Nov 1990: Linebacker Kevin Greene of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the New York Giants at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Giants won the game, 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

We have already delved into the careers of DeBartolo, Dungy and Favre. Now it’s time to look back at relentless pass-rusher Kevin Greene, a fifth-round draft choice by the Los Angeles Rams in 1985 out of Auburn. He would play for the Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers during his 15-year NFL career. When the dust settled, he had racked up 160.0 quarterback traps.

“I loved getting a sack,” said Greene (courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s official website). “First it was a feeling of relief. I know that is what that organization really wanted me to do. They wanted me to rush the passer, defend against the run because you can’t be soft against the run…But what they really wanted me to do was crush quarterbacks.

12 Sep 1993: Linebacker Kevin Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Rams won the game, 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
12 Sep 1993: Linebacker Kevin Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Rams won the game, 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

“When I was really able to do that it was a feeling of relief. My teammates depended on me to do that. I contributed. I didn’t want to let my teammates down…It was just me making a contribution and not letting my brothers down.”

But Greene also had a nose for the football, totaling 26 fumble recoveries (2 returned for scores) and five interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), along with 23 forced fumbles. His consistency was evident, totaling 10 or more sacks in 10 different seasons.

More nfl spin zone: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Coach Tony Dungy

A five-time Pro Bowler, nearly half of Greene’s sack total (72.5) came in his eight seasons with the Rams. He played in Super Bowl XXX as a member of the Steelers and helped the Panthers reach the NFC title game in their second season of existence in 1996. His impact on the defenses of each team he played for is hard to overlook. And now that will no longer be the case as he joins the Hall of Fame’s amazing fraternity.

Additional bio link courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame website

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