PITTSBURGH (KDKA / AP) – Former Pittsburgh Steiner driver Kevin Greene has died at the age of 58, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday.
No cause of death was reported.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family regrets the passing of Kevin Greene,” Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “I considered him a personal friend and a real Hall of Hunger in every sense. He possessed the attitude of doing more amazing things than I have ever known. He was a great player, but more than anything, 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 to serve as an inspiration to future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be thrown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory. “
Famous celebrity Kevin Greene has died at the age of 58.
We will keep his legacy at the Game alive at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Read: https://t.co/ORTudjGzeu#HOFFrever | @RamsNFL | @Panthers | @acers | @ 49ers pic.twitter.com/VWRCKADGZQ
– Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 21, 2020
The defender spent three years in Pittsburgh during his 15-year career from 1993 to 1995. Greene was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
Greene was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
RELATED HISTORY: Pittsburgh Steelers Nation remembers defender Kevin Greene
“We lost an amazing player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “His sudden death is a shock to everyone, as he was a close friend and teammate of so many people in the Steelers family.
“When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993 he had an immediate impact. Along 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 were inspiring for both our team and our fans.
“My condolences extend to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their children and the entire Greene family at this difficult time. They will always be members of the Steelers family and our thoughts and prayers. ”
Statement by Steelers President Art Rooney II on the transfer of Kevin Greene: pic.twitter.com/QkbM6gYyIk
– Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 21, 2020
Known for his long blond locks, his persevering 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.
“He wasn’t the biggest (and) he wasn’t the fastest,” Greene once said. “But as long as you have an engine, have a heart … that will overcome any physical limitations.”
Greene regularly used the film studio to look for the weakness of the opponent.
“I figured out how to get in a hurry,” Greene said. “I figured out how to put a guy, an offensive attack three to four inches taller, 80 pounds heavier, that put him in a position of failure, and I did.”
Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, ranking third in league history behind only Bruce Smith (200) and Reggie White (198). He also had 23 forced smokes and five interceptions.
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