Before arriving in Charlotte for the first time in 1996, Kevin Greene had already carved out an outstanding 11-year NFL career between the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. With three Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pro nods, and a reputation as a relentless pass-rusher, he brought elite edge heat and championship swagger to a second-year expansion franchise.

Greene combined volcanic intensity with a high-octane motor and signature long blond hair flowing out of his helmet. Operating as an outside linebacker in Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme, Greene excelled at converting speed to power, using violent hand-swipes and a relentless motor to collapse the pocket and destroy pass plays from the blind side.

Greene joined Carolina as a free agent in 1996 and led one of the most impressive individual defensive performances in NFL history. Partnering with outside linebacker Lamar Lathon to create the "Salt and Pepper" pass-rushing duo, Greene's relentless energy helped elevate the young franchise into a league contender.

In the remarkable 1996 season, Greene led the NFL with 14.5 sacks, added 51 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered three, and recorded a safety. He set an NFL record with five consecutive multi-sack games during the final part of the season. His pass-rushing prowess helped Carolina win seven straight games to finish the regular season, securing the NFC West title with a 12–4 record. In the playoffs, Greene achieved three more sacks in two games, notably delivering a strong performance in a 26–17 Divisional Round win over the defending champions, the Dallas Cowboys. His outstanding play earned him the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year award, a fourth Pro Bowl selection, and Consensus First-Team All-Pro honors.

Following the 1996 run, a contract dispute led to Greene's release in August 1997. He spent one year with the San Francisco 49ers—where he posted 10.5 sacks—before returning to Carolina for his final two seasons in professional football.

Greene picked up right where he left off during his 1998 return campaign. At 36, he broke his own franchise single-season record with 15.0 sacks (tied for the team record today), forced four fumbles, and earned his fifth and final Pro Bowl selection. He returned for one last ride in 1999, starting all 16 games and sacking opposing quarterbacks 12.0 times while recovering three fumbles. In doing so, he recorded his tenth career double-digit sack season before hanging up his cleats for good.

Greene appeared in 47 regular-season games with the Panthers, achieving an impressive 41.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and six forced fumbles. He is the only player in franchise history to record double-digit sacks in three different seasons. This late-career surge brought his total to 160.0 sacks, ranking third in NFL history upon his retirement. In 2016, Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning his well-deserved spot in Canton.