Kevin Greene

For other people named Kevin Greene, see Kevin Greene (disambiguation).
Kevin Greene

refer to caption

Greene at Packers preseason training in August 2011
No. 91
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1962-07-31) July 31, 1962
Place of birth: Schenectady, New York
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College: Auburn
NFL Draft: 1985 / Round: 5 / Pick: 113
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards

As player

As coach

Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 773
Sacks: 160.0
Interceptions: 5
Forced fumbles: 23
Player stats at NFL.com

Kevin Darwin Greene (born July 31, 1962) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League for 15 years. Greene retired after the 1999 NFL season and currently ranks third amongst all-time sack leaders, leading the NFL twice in that category. He was a three-time All-Pro, was voted to the National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early years

Greene was a two-year starter and honorable mention All-conference selection as a senior at Granite City South High (Illinois). He also played basketball and was a high jumper for the track team. He is in the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame in Granite City, Illinois.

College career

Greene played college football as a walk-on at Auburn University, and in 1984 won the Zeke Smith Award as Defensive Player of the Year. He had 69 career tackles as an outside linebacker and 11 sacks his senior year where he led the Southeastern Conference and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1984.[1]

He was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the 1985 United States Football League Territorial Draft and later selected by the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League in the fifth round (113th overall) of the NFL Draft the same year. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice at Auburn. He completed ROTC while at Auburn and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Alabama Army National Guard. After playing his first year in the NFL, during the off season, he graduated from the RC-1-86 Armor Officer Basic Course, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

NFL career

Los Angeles Rams

He played for the Rams from 1985 through 1992. From 1985 through 1987 Greene played on left defensive end in the Rams nickel defense and was second on the team in sacks in both 1986 and 1987. His first sack came in 1985, in a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys and it was in the defensive end role that the sack came. In 1988 Greene became the starting left outside linebacker in the Rams base defense that was enhanced by defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur's Eagle 5-Linebacker defense which he used extensively from 1988 to 1990.[2]

In 1988, Greene led the Rams with 16½ sacks which was 2nd overall in the NFL behind Reggie White. That total included 4½ sacks against the San Francisco 49ers' Joe Montana in a key late-season game that the Rams had to win order to make the playoffs which they did.

The following year Greene made All-Pro in 1989 and was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time with his second consecutive season of 16½ sacks (4th in the NFL). In 1988 and 1989 Greene earned $225,000 each season and in 1990 wanted a multi-year contract worth $1 million per season.[3] After a 39-day holdout, Greene signed a 3-year $2.5 million contract with the Rams [4] His 13 sacks (tied for 6th in the NFL) in 1990 gave him 46 sacks for that three-year period, the most of any player on the NFL for that span. Also from 1988 to 1990, Greene's first three as a starter, the Rams allowed and average of only 101.6 yards and 3.9 yards per rush against them while compiling 128 sacks.[5]

In 1991 the Rams changed defenses and defensive coordinators. Jeff Fisher became the new defensive coordinator and switched the Rams to a 4-3 defense, a system he was familiar with, after being a 3-4 team since 1983. Although Greene had compiled 46 sacks during the previous 3 seasons, Greene was moved from left outside linebacker in a 3-4 to right defensive end in a 4-3. Although he was a pure outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, he attempted the transition. After five games Greene was moved to left linebacker for a month and a half and then due to injuries he was moved to left defensive end for the remainder of the seasons. In all, he started five games at right defensive end, five games at left linebacker and six games at left defensive end and even though he had a career-high in tackles for loss (8) he ended the year with only 3 sacks. His lowest total, by far, since his rookie season. The entire Rams coaching staff was released after the 1991 season.

In 1992 the Rams hired Chuck Knox as head coach. The Rams remained a 4-3 defensive team under defensive coordinator George Dyer and Greene continued to play left outside linebacker. His production returned as he led his team in both tackles and sacks. Greene accepted his new role saying, "On third downs I am still rushing the passer, but I would like to rush the passer more often, from more downs and distances, but I can't because of the role I am now asked to play".[6] He finished the 1992 season with 10 sacks and Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman picked Greene for his annual All-Pro team, citing Greene's coverage ability, "The OLB spot opposite Cox came down to the Eagles' Seth Joyner, my Player of the Year in last year, versus the Rams' Kevin Greene. I picked Greene. He had more coverage responsibility than ever before, and he did just fine. He was a consistent pass rusher.[7] Dick Selcer, his linebacker coach added, "Kevin's a more complete player than he is given credit for, people only seem to notice the home run, but not seem to see the singles.[6]

Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1993, the first year of free agency, Greene sought out teams that employed a 3-4 system. He visited the Green Bay Packers where his former defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur was employed as the defensive coordinator but they were a 4-3 team. He then visited the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 3-4 team. Dom Capers was the defensive coordinator. He signed a 3-year $5.35 million free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[8] Returning to his left outside linebacker position, he had a solid season with 12½ sacks which tied him for 7th in the league. The following season, Greene was a consensus All-Pro choice in 1994 as he led the NFL in sacks (14) and made another appearance in the Pro Bowl. Additionally, Greene was voted the NFLPA AFC Linebacker of the Year (tied with Junior Seau) for the first time in his career. In 1995 he went to his third Pro Bowl, where he finished with 9 sacks and also played in Super Bowl XXX, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. During Greene's three years with the Steelers defense allowed only 3.48 yards per rush, best in the NFL. As part of that defense, which also led the NFL in sacks with 139 over the same three-year period, Dick LeBeau said, "Kevin Greene is a great player against the run and of the best pass rushers in NFL history. He is almost unblockable."[9]

Later career

On May 21, 1996, Greene signed with the Carolina Panthers (a 2-year $2 million deal) [10] following their 1995 inaugural season and helped them reach the NFC Championship Game where the team lost to the eventual Super Bowl XXXI champion Green Bay Packers. In 1996 he was named the NFC Linebacker of the Year and received the NEA Defensive Player of the Year Award. In addition the NFL Alumni voted Greene the NFL Linebacker of the Year Award. He was also voted the NFC Player of the Year by the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club. Additionally, he set an NFL record with 5 consecutive multi-sack games and finished leading the NFL in sacks for the second time in three years with 14½. Along the way he was a consensus All-Pro in 1996 for the second time in three years. He was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl. Said by Panther teammate Dwight Stone to be, along with Sam Mills, the most "professional guy" on the 1996 Panther team.[11] In 1996 the Panthers defense allowed only 96 yards rushing a game and 6 rushing touchdowns against them while sacking opposing quarterbacks 60 times, which led the NFL. The Panthers advanced to the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

After one season with the Panthers and a dispute with the organization, he played one season for the San Francisco 49ers. Greene signed what the 49ers called a six-year, $13 million contract, that included a $750,000 signing bonus on September 25, 1997.[12] Greene had been released by the Panthers on August 25, 1997. With the 49ers, Greene had 10.5 sacks and broke Lawrence Taylor's record for most sacks by a linebacker. Greene was called on to play the famed "Elephant" role with the 49ers, the player to rush the passer and come in the games on likely passing downs. While doing so, he chipped in the run game as the 49ers allowed 3.5 yards a rush and Greene had 10.5 of the 49ers 54 sacks. Once again in back-to-back years his season would end in an NFC Championship Game loss to the Packers.

After the 1997 holdout and a year with the 49ers Greene re-signed with the Panthers on February 28, 1998.[13] In 1998 he repeated his honor of being named NFC Linebacker of the year by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Greene was also named to the Pro Bowl after the 1998 season bringing his Pro Bowl total to five. Greene was tied for third in the NFL for sacks, after Michael Sinclair (16½ sacks), Reggie White (16 sacks), and tied with Michael Strahan who each totaled 15 sacks.

Greene retired after registering 12 sacks (good for 7th in the NFL) playing as a 4-3 outside linebacker in 1999; he finished his career as a five-time Pro Bowler and the NFL's third all-time sack leader with 160, behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White. He also finished as the NFL's all-time leader in sacks by a linebacker, ahead of players like Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Rickey Jackson, and Andre Tippett; Greene is also one of only four players to lead the NFL in sacks in multiple seasons ('94 with the Steelers and '96 with the Panthers). Additionally, he is also tied for second in career safeties with three and third all-time in fumble recoveries with 26 (which he returned for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns); he described his aggressive style of going after fumbles as "a hog going after a sweet tater in the mud".[14] During his career, Greene recorded five interceptions, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown, and he is one of three players to record 10 or more sacks in at least 10 different seasons; he averaged over 10 sacks a year for 15 seasons. Greene ended his career with 160 sacks, 62.5 tackles of running backs behind the line of scrimmage, 23 forced fumbles, 26 recovered fumbles, and 3 defensive touchdowns and 3 safeties.

Greene played in 228 games in his 15-year career. Eight times he was among the NFL's Top 10 sackers, leading the NFL twice. Eleven times in his 15 years he led his club in sacks. Played in six conference championships in his 15 seasons. He is considered to be one of the greatest pass rushers of all-time.[15]“I was an outside linebacker in a 3-4, so I actually had coverage responsibilities. So my rush was more limited. But, still, I think my numbers match up pretty good, even with those that rushed the passer every passing down."[16]

Wrestling career

Greene had a couple of short stints in World Championship Wrestling. He debuted in WCW as a tag team partner for fellow NFL alum Steve McMichael, but McMichael turned on him in favor of joining the Four Horsemen. Greene disappeared from WCW for several months before returning to get revenge on McMichael in a singles match, where he defeated McMichael when the latter's ally Jeff Jarrett accidentally nailed McMichael with a briefcase.

In May 1997 he teamed with Roddy Piper and Ric Flair to take on the nWo team of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Syxx in a winning effort at Slamboree.

He then made a final return in mid-1998, teaming with former football player Bill Goldberg against the nWo Black and White. Greene left wrestling when NFL teams began requiring a "no wrestling" clause in his contract.

Coaching career

During the 2008 season Greene, along with former Steeler Jason Gildon, served an internship for the Pittsburgh Steelers as an assistant linebackers coach during training camp. On January 26, 2009, Greene was hired as an Outside Linebackers Coach for the Green Bay Packers by Dom Capers. The Packers were transitioning into a 3-4 base defense from their traditional 4-3 base. Greene played for Capers for two years as a Steeler, and then followed Capers to Carolina when Capers was named first head coach of the Panthers. On February 6, 2011, the Packers won Super Bowl XLV, the first time Greene had ever been part of an NFL championship team. On January 17, 2014, it was announced that he would be stepping away from coaching "in order to spend more time with (his) wife, Tara, and (his) children, Gavin and Gabrielle". He hopes to return to coaching after his children are in college.[20]

Career notes

References

  1. ↑ The Telegraph. "‘Befuddling’ Why isn’t Granite City’s Kevin Greene in Canton? - The Telegraph - thetelegraph.com". web.archive.org. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Fritz Shurmur's Eagle 5 Linebacker Defense - Strong Football by CoachCP". web.archive.org. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  3. ↑ "GREENE RETURNS TO RAM DEFENSIVE FOLD" Long Beach Press-Telegram. Sep 2, 1990. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Greene Was Another Example for Rams", Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1990.
  5. ↑ NFL Record & Fact Book. 1991
  6. 1 2 Orange County Herald-Examinor, November 7, 1992
  7. ↑ (Zimmerman, Paul) Dr. Z's All-pro Team, Sports Illustrated vault, January 11, 1993. Archived September 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  8. ↑ TRANSACTIONS, New York Times April 4, 1993.
  9. ↑ "'The LeBeau Effect' - Behind the Steel Curtain". behindthesteelcurtain.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "THE INSIDE TRACK; Watch It, World, a Greene Machine Is on the Way", Los Angeles Times, May 21, 1996.
  11. ↑ Fowler, S. (2004). Tales from the Carolina Panthers Sideline. Sports Publishing L.L.C. p. 160. ISBN 9781582618357. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "GREENE RETURNS AS PANTHERS' ENEMY" Greenboro News & Record, September 25, 1997.
  13. ↑ "GREENE SIGNS TO RETURN TO PANTHERS", Buffalo News, February 28, 1998.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ "Top 10 pass rushers in NFL history - NFL.com". nfl.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Greene: I thought about asking Hall to remove my name, too". talkoffamenetwork.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 "The Great American Bash report on June 16, 1996".
  18. 1 2 "Weekly WCW report from May 17, 1997 to May 19, 1997".
  19. ↑ "Bash at the Beach report on July 12, 1998".
  20. ↑ "Kevin Greene to step away from coaching". packers.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Story » Modern-Era Semifinalists for '07". profootballhof.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Packers team bio". packers.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  23. ↑ "kindredcommunitychurch.org - This website is for sale! - kindred community church Resources and Information.". kindredcommunitychurch.org. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  24. ↑ Carlson, Chuck (2011). Tales from the Packers Sidelines: A Collection of the Greatest Stories Ever Told. Sports Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 1613210485.
  25. ↑ Carlson, C. (2004). Game of My Life: Memorable Stories of Packer Football. Sports Pub. p. 74. ISBN 9781582618142. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  26. ↑ Warner, K. (2001). All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football, and the First Miracle Season. HarperCollins. p. 193. ISBN 9780062517180. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Green Bay Packers Coaching bio". packers.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  28. ↑ ""Pros vs. Joes" Can You Take a Hit from Kevin Greene? (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb". imdb.com. March 20, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
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