Few NFL players can show off the kind of pedigree that Joe Greene can - 1st round draft pick in 1969, 13-Year NFL Career, 181 starts, Defensive Rookie of the Year (1969), 5 1st Team All-Pro selections, 2 2nd Team All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowls, Twice named Defensive Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year 1979, Hall of Fame inductee 1987, Pro Football Hall of All-1970s Team and NFL 100 All Time Team.
Mean Joe Greene, Steelers Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle
Joe Greene looks for someone to lateral to after a fumble recovery. In 1974 Greene was named to his second Defensive Player of the Year. 4 fumble recoveries and an interception while was named to his 4th All Pro team. That's Ernie Holmes, #63 behind.
Joe Greene fumble recovery in 1974
With only guard Doug Van Horn between him and his target, Mean Joe Green zeros in on Giants runner Joe Morrison here in 1971. Greene would finish the year with his third straight Pro Bowl. Steelers linebacker Chuck Allen moves towards the play in the Background.
Mean Joe Greene Steelers with Doug Van Horn and Joe Morrison of the Giants in 1971
Mean Joe Greene Steelers
Steelers Mean Joe Greene and Jack Ham put pressure on Tampa Bay quarterback Doug Williams.
Mean Joe Greene and Jack Ham Rush Doug Williams of the Buccaneers
Joe Greene of North Texas State - the Steelers 1st round pick of 1969 shown here bursting through the Lions line. Greene made the Pro Bowl and was selected AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Rookie Joe Greene, Steelers vs Lions
Dan Pastorini gets the pass over the arms of Steelers great LC Greenwood. Mean Joe Green is to the right.
Dan Pastorini passes over LC Greenwood
An aging George Blanda sets up to pass behind the blocking of George Buehler (#64) & Bob Brown (#76) while Steelers lineman Joe Greene (#75) and LC Greenwood (#68) apply pressure. This picture is from the early 1970s - we think 1972. Blanda was 45 years old and wouldn't retire for another 3 seasons.
George Blanda and Bob Brown of the Raiders - LC Greenwood and Joe Greene, Steelers in 1972
Mean Joe Greene (#75) and Jack Ham (#59) were together for 11 seasons on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. 3 Super Bowl victories and 16 All Pro teams between the two of them.
Mean Joe Greene and Jack Ham, the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
Mean Joe Greene, a rookie in 1969 gets through and dumps Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Behind Greene is Steelers veteran Ben McGee of Jackson State. Greene was Pittsburgh's best at sacking the quarterback in 1969 with 9½ sacks.
Mean Joe Greene and Ben McGee Dump Sonny Jurgensen in 1969
Bert Jones of LSU was one of the NFL's up-and-coming young stars when the Colts chose him in the 1973 draft. Injuries began to take their toll by 1978. Here he gets hit hard by, who appears to be Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bert Jones hit by Mean Joe Greene
George Blanda kicks a 27-yard field goal against the Steelers in 1970. It was this game he came off the bench and threw 3 touchdowns in addition to this field goal to help the Raiders win 31-14. Some big names in this picture - We see Jim Otto (#00) barring the way of Joe Greene (#75) and former Chargers standout Chuck Allen (#58) while Rookie Ken Stabler (#12) holds for Blanda.
George Blanda kcks a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970
The Steel Curtain of Pittsburgh made things difficult for the Broncos in the 1978 AFC playoffs sacking Broncos quarterbacks a total of 6 times. Here is Jack Lambert and Joe Greene with Denver QB Norris Weese.
Jack Lambert and Joe Greene of the Steelers - Norris Weese, Broncos in 1978
In the 1970s the Pittsburgh Steelers wielded one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. Here are 3 of the big reasons for their success - lineman LC Greenwood (#68) and Joe Greene (#75) along with linebacker Jack Ham (#59) as they put the stop on Colts fullback Don Nottingham (#48.
Joe Greene, Jack Ham & LC Greenwood of the Steelers defense stop Don Nottingham of the Colts in 1971
Joe Greene stops Oilers runner Roy Hopkins as the rest of the Steelers defense closes in. In 1970 Greene was in 2nd year as a Pro and was named to his 2nd of 10 career Pro Bowls. The other Steelers here are #60 - Ben McGee, #65 - Lloyd Voss and Ocie Austin, #28 is in the background.
Mean Joe Greene tackles Roy Hopkins of the Houston Oilers
Steelers Hall of Famer Joe Greene in action. Team mate Ernie Holmes is to the right.
Mean Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Tackle
Steelers linebacker Jack Ham comes in hard on Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts. Defensive tackle Joe Greene follows close behind.
Jack Ham of the Steelers with Dan Fouts of the Chargers
A battle of All-Pros in the 1972 AFC Championship game. Dolphins guard Larry Little (#66) gets the better of Steelers All Pro defensive lineman Joe Greene (#75).
Larry Little Knocks Over Joe Greene in the 1972 AFC Championship Game
Steelers great "Mean" Joe Greene gets around the block of Raiders legend Jim Otto as he sets his sights on running back Charlie Smith.
Steelers Great Joe Greene evades the Raiders Jim Otto and Zeroes in on Runner Charlie Smith
1978 was his 10th straight appearance in a Pro Bowl.
Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978
In 1971 Joe Greene was one his way to to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Here he graces the cover of an October Sports Illustrated issue of that year.
"Mean" Joe Greene Makes the Cover of Sports Illustrated October, 1971
Pittsburgh Steeler Defensive sensation "Mean" Joe Greene applies a convincing pass rush and hurries the efforts of San Diego Charger quarterback John Hadl.
Joe Greene Rushes John Hadl
Two Major Parts of the Steeler Steel Curtain - Joe Greene and LC Greenwood
Mean Joe Greene LC Greenwood of Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974
NFL Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle Joe Greene
Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers
Steeler Great Joe Greene
Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers nfl
Hall of Fame Defensive Lineman Joe Greene
Joe Greene nfl defense
Joe Greene
Dallas Cowboy Quarterback Roger Staubach winds up to pass while Pittsburgh Steeler legend "Mean" Joe Greene applies the pressure.
Roger Staubach and Joe Greene
Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steeler "Steel Curtain Defense"
Defensive Tackle "Mean" Joe Greene
Joe Greene
Pittsburgh Steeler Great Joe Greene
Joe Greene NFL Great
Pittsburgh Steeler Defensive Tackle Joe Greene
Joe Greene
Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers Lineman 1969-1981
"Mean" Joe Greene NFL Hall of Fame
Pittsburgh Steeler Defensive Tackle Joe Greene
Joe Greene
