Arguably the greatest interior defender in NFL history, “Mean” Joe Greene more than lived up to his nickname. Known for his relentless and intimidating play style, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ star defensive lineman spent all 14 of his seasons striking fear in anyone unlucky enough to line up against him.
The perfect combination of power, quickness and aggression, Greene was the tone setter for the Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense. Although today he’d probably be characterized as a dirty, malicious player, Greene was the epitome of the hard-nosed, in-your-face NFL of the 1970s and 1980s. Winning and wreaking havoc were the only things on his mind on game day.
That mindset translated into 10 Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro selections, four Super Bowl victories, two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His highlight reel is pretty mesmerizing to watch as well.
A leader for Pittsburgh who impacted the game in many ways, Greene will easily go down as one of the all-time greats for his ability to single-handedly destroy an opponent’s game plan. His exploits into the coaching world and the fifth ring he eventually won while strolling the Steelers’ sidelines only elevated his status as an NFL legend.