You would think that with the successful history of the Pittsburgh Steelers that they would have a plethora of retired numbers. They don’t, as prior to today’s announcement the Steelers have only retired the number 70 of Ernie Statutner, their star Defensive Tackle from the 1950’s who was a ten time All Pro and first ballot Football Hall of Fame selection. Now, a member of the famed “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970’s will join Stautner in receiving the ultimate Steeler accolade.
“Mean” Joe Greene was not just a member of the punishing Steelers defense, he was its leader. The fourth overall pick of the 1969 NFL Draft, Greene would make an instant impact and earn his first of ten Pro Bowl selections in his rookie campaign. His trophy case also holds eight All Pro Selections, membership to the 1970’s All-Decade Team, the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team and a pair of Defensive Player of the Year Trophies, which were bestowed upon him in 1972 and 1974.
Calling Joe Greene “Mean” was not just a clever play to come up with a rhyming nickname. He literally was considered the meanest man in the already vicious sport, and the tales of him challenging the sport’s other legendary tough men (like Dick Butkus) to a fight, and kicking opponents in the groin (which occurred in 1975) are almost as legendary as his distaste for losing.
That desire to win rubbed off on his teammates and the Steelers, which won four Super Bowls that decade. Greene becomes the first from that elite group of talent from those championship squads to earn this honor. We have to wonder if this will usher in the retirement of more numbers from those legendary teams.
Greene was not just a beast on the field; he also was the star of an iconic Coca Cola commercial in the 70’s, possibly the most famous one ever from a Steeler, or at least from a Football player of that era.
It should be noted that nobody has worn the #75 since Joe Greene retired in 1981. This has been a common practice for Pittsburgh as they have also not reissued the numbers of past Steelers (#1) Gary Anderson, (#12) Terry Bradshaw, (#32) Franco Harris, (#36) Jerome Bettis, (#52) Mike Webster, (#58) Jack Lambert, (#59) Jack Ham, (#63) Dermontti Dawson and (#86) Hines Ward, and have not retired them either.
The ceremony will take place on November 2nd, which will see Pittsburgh host their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
We would like to congratulate “Mean” Joe Greene and the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, many of whom we suspect are celebrating this decision.
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