Kevin Greene
Kevin Greene (July 31, 1962 – December 21, 2020) was an American professional football player who excelled as an outside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, renowned for his relentless pass-rushing ability that resulted in 160 career sacks, ranking third all-time in league history.[1][2][3] Born in Schenectady, New York and raised in a military family that moved frequently, Greene attended Auburn University, where he played college football and earned All-SEC honors as a senior in 1984.[4][5][6] Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft, he transitioned from defensive end to outside linebacker and quickly became a dominant force, leading the Rams in sacks for much of his eight-year tenure there from 1985 to 1992.[4][5] Greene's career peaked with stints alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers (1993–1995), where he led the NFL in sacks in 1994 with 14, and the expansion Carolina Panthers (1996, 1998–1999), earning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1996 after recording a league-leading 14.5 sacks.[7][2][8] He also played briefly for the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 before retiring after the 1999 season, amassing five Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honors, and additional accolades like 23 forced fumbles and an NFL-record three safeties.[5][9][3] Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2016, Greene later pursued professional wrestling and returned to the NFL as a coach, serving as outside linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers (where he won Super Bowl XLV in 2011) and the New York Jets in 2017.[3][5][10]Early life and education
Family background and childhood
Kevin Greene was born on July 31, 1962, in Schenectady, New York, to Therman Greene, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and his wife, Patricia.[11][12] Due to his father's military service, the Greene family frequently relocated, living on various U.S. military bases and spending three years in Mannheim, Germany, during Greene's childhood.[3] The family eventually settled in Granite City, Illinois, in 1976, prior to Greene's high school years.[13] Greene achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during his youth.[12] His early exposure to sports came on these military bases, where he first played football as a quarterback and safety before switching to linebacker. His father's military background profoundly shaped Greene's character, instilling a strong sense of discipline, regimentation, and Army values that fueled his competitive drive and work ethic throughout his life.[3][14]High school career
Kevin Greene attended Granite City South High School in Granite City, Illinois, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete during his high school years.[3] He participated in football, basketball, and track and field, demonstrating versatility and athletic prowess across disciplines.[15] In football, Greene played as both a tight end and defensive end, starting for two years and earning honorable mention All-Conference honors as a senior despite standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds.[16] His performance on the gridiron highlighted his potential as a pass rusher and blocker, though he received no major college scholarship offers upon graduation in 1980.[17] Greene also excelled in basketball, lettering in the sport and contributing as a key player on the team.[18] On the track team, he specialized in the high jump, further showcasing his explosive athleticism and vertical leap.[3] His multi-sport background underscored his dedication and physical development, paving the way for his eventual walk-on opportunity at Auburn University.[19]College career
Greene enrolled at Auburn University in 1980 after graduating from Granite City South High School in Illinois. His high school multi-sport background as a foundation for college success. Initially, he participated in intramural football with the Army ROTC team while focusing on his studies and military training.[20][21] In 1983, Greene walked on to the Auburn Tigers varsity football team, playing special teams as a defensive lineman transitioning to outside linebacker. In 1984, as the starting outside linebacker, he led the SEC in quarterback sacks with 11 en route to earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors and the Zeke Smith Award as Auburn's outstanding defensive lineman.[21][22][20] Alongside his athletic endeavors, Greene pursued academics in criminal justice, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985. He simultaneously completed the Army ROTC program at Auburn, which culminated in his commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Alabama Army National Guard upon graduation. Post-graduation, Greene met his initial military obligations by completing active duty training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the offseason after his rookie NFL season; he went on to serve 16 years in the Army Reserve, advancing to the rank of captain.[23][23][24]Professional football career
Los Angeles Rams
Kevin Greene was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round, 113th overall, of the 1985 NFL Draft out of Auburn University.[8] As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games while transitioning from defensive end to outside linebacker under defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, recording no regular-season sacks but securing his first career sack in the postseason against the Dallas Cowboys.[3] Greene's role expanded in subsequent years; he notched 7 sacks in 1986 and 6.5 in 1987.[8] Greene broke out in 1988, leading the Rams with 16.5 sacks—second in the NFL behind Reggie White—and recording a career-high 4.5 sacks in a single game against the San Francisco 49ers.[8] The following year, 1989, he matched that total with another 16.5 sacks, earning second-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection as a key component of the Rams' "Eagle" defense, which emphasized his edge-rushing abilities.[3] Over eight seasons with the Rams from 1985 to 1992, Greene appeared in 119 games, amassing 72.5 sacks while contributing to four playoff appearances, including NFC Championship runs in 1985 and 1989.[25] Renowned for his relentless pass-rushing style, Greene combined explosive speed and non-stop motor to terrorize quarterbacks, often displaying a fierce, snarling expression—dubbed the "Kevin Greene face"—that amplified his intimidating presence on the field.[4] His development into a dominant outside linebacker exemplified the Rams' shift toward a more aggressive, coverage-light scheme that maximized his athleticism.[26]Pittsburgh Steelers
Greene signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent in 1993, bringing his pass-rushing expertise to a defense that would become known as "Blitzburgh."[27] In his first season, he recorded 12.5 sacks and 67 tackles, helping the Steelers to a 9-7 record.[8] Greene led the NFL with 14 sacks in 1994 while adding 69 tackles, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection; his performance anchored a Steelers defense that reached the AFC Championship Game after a 12-4 regular season.[8] In 1995, he contributed 9 sacks and 48 tackles en route to another Pro Bowl nod and an 11-5 record that included a playoff berth.[8] Over three seasons with Pittsburgh from 1993 to 1995, Greene amassed 35.5 sacks—the second-most by any player in their first three years with the team since sacks became official in 1982—along with 184 tackles and 6 forced fumbles.[27]Carolina Panthers
Greene signed with the expansion Carolina Panthers as an unrestricted free agent on May 21, 1996, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $2 million.[28] In his debut season with the Panthers, Greene exploded for 14.5 sacks, leading the entire NFL and becoming the oldest player to claim the league sack title at age 34.[29][30] His dominant pass-rushing performance anchored a fierce defensive front alongside Lamar Lathon, helping propel the second-year franchise to a 12-4 record, a wild-card playoff berth, and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.[29] For his efforts, Greene earned first-team All-Pro honors, the NFLPA NFC Linebacker of the Year award, and the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year recognition.[3][31] After a contentious contract holdout led to his release prior to the 1997 season, Greene rejoined the Panthers on February 28, 1998, via a one-year deal following a stint with the San Francisco 49ers.[32] He responded with another elite campaign, notching 15 sacks—tying the franchise single-season record—and adding to his Carolina totals. In 1999, his final NFL season, Greene recorded 12 sacks over 16 games before retiring. Across three seasons with the Panthers (1996, 1998–1999), he totaled 41.5 sacks in 47 games.[8]San Francisco 49ers
After a contentious contract dispute that led to his release from the Carolina Panthers in August 1997, Kevin Greene signed a six-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth up to $13 million, though only $350,000 counted against the team's salary cap that season.[33][34] The deal included a $750,000 signing bonus prorated over six years, reflecting the 49ers' strategy to bolster their pass rush with a proven veteran who had led the NFL with 14.5 sacks the previous year.[35] In his lone season with San Francisco, the 35-year-old Greene transitioned effectively to the team's defensive scheme, appearing in 14 games with four starts and registering 10.5 sacks—his fifth career season reaching double digits in that category.[8] His disruptive presence contributed significantly to the 49ers' NFC West division title and their run to the NFC Championship Game, where they fell to the Green Bay Packers.[36] Notably, Greene scored the game-winning touchdown in a 17-14 victory over the Denver Broncos via a 40-yard fumble return in December 1997.[37] Despite his solid output, the 49ers released Greene on February 10, 1998, as part of broader salary cap reductions that also saw the departure of cornerback Rod Woodson.[38]Career statistics and achievements
Over his 15-season NFL career from 1985 to 1999, Kevin Greene amassed 160 sacks, ranking third all-time at the time of his retirement behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White.[39] He recorded 734 tackles, 27 forced fumbles, and appeared in 228 games across stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.[3] These totals underscored his dominance as an outside linebacker and defensive end, particularly in pass rushing, where he led his team in sacks 11 times.[3] Greene earned widespread recognition for his performance, including five Pro Bowl selections in 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998, as well as two first-team All-Pro honors in 1994 and 1996, and one second-team All-Pro in 1989.[27] He topped the NFL in sacks twice, with 14.0 in 1994 and 14.5 in 1996, showcasing his explosive speed and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks.[40] Among his notable records, Greene set the Los Angeles Rams' single-season sack mark with 16.5 in 1988, a franchise benchmark that highlighted his breakout year.[8] With the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1993 to 1995, he accumulated 35.5 sacks over three seasons, the second-most by any player in their first three years with the team since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.[27]| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Sacks | 160 (3rd all-time at retirement) |
| Tackles | 734 |
| Forced Fumbles | 27 |
| Games Played | 228 |