Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene, considered among the fiercest pass-rushers in NFL history, has expired.
I considered him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in each sense. He owned the most amazing can-do mindset of anybody I ever met. He was a fantastic player, but more than that, he had been a fantastic man.
Known for his long blonde locks, his constant pursuit of the quarterback and his omnipresent charm — that assisted him in his short career as a professional wrestler — Greene made the most of his abilities.
“I was not the greatest [and] I was not quickest,” Greene once said. “However, so long as you’ve got a motor, you’ve got heart… that can overcome any physical constraints.”
Greene frequently used picture study to look for a competitor’s weakness.
“I figured out how to pass hurry,” Greene explained. “I figured out how to place a man, an offensive tackle a few inches taller, 80 pounds heavier, place him in a place of collapse, and that I did this.”
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“We lost an wonderful player and man that this morning with the departure of Kevin Greene,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “His sudden death is a shock to us all because he had been a close friend and teammate to a lot of individuals in the Steelers family.
“When Kevin arrived at the Steelers in 1993 he had a direct effect. Paired with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg headed a defense which became called Blitzburgh and went to play Super Bowl 30. Kevin’s enthusiasm and energy were inspirational for our staff in addition to our lovers.
“My condolences go out to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their kids and the total Greene family in this difficult moment. They’ll always be members of the Steelers household and in our thoughts and prayers.”
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, whom Greene worked for in Green Bay, said Greene”was driven a man as I’ve ever had the chance to utilize. He worked up there for five decades and was the exact same man daily, brought enormous energy into the workplace and he enjoys the game of soccer,” McCarthy explained. “Clearly his enthusiasm for a participant and as a trainer, I mean he has touched a great deal of individuals. The men that understood Kevin on team , we have been sharing a few of our stories and our time with him. Just very, very miserable to find that information earlier today.”
To the coach that believed in me and gave me an opportunity as a Undrafted kid as he called “Out of nowhere coconut head” to make my dreams comes true was a blessing! I will always remember your saying “there’s no substitute on kicking a man a**. RIP KG🙏🏽😔 pic.twitter.com/PZpfk38hH0
— Frankie Luvu (@frankluvu7) December 21, 2020
Greene was inducted to the Hall of Fame at 2016.
The Steelers’ Stephon Tuitt posted on societal websites it had been an honour to share the identical amount with Greene.
He had been All-Pro in 1994 and 1996.
“The Rams household and the NFL missing a game changer today. We’re profoundly saddened to learn of the departure of Hall of Famer Kevin Greene, who left an indelible mark on the Rams franchise together with his enthusiasm for his love for both coaches and teammates. He explained what it means to become a Los Angeles Ram, on and off the field, bettering everyone about him during his outstanding leadership and dedication to serving others. Our thoughts are with all the Greene family, his friends, and the many people he moved during his entire life,” that the Rams explained in an announcement.
Greene had 14 or more sacks in three distinct seasons, including double using the Panthers late in his profession.
Jets linebacker Frankie Luvu, at a tweet, thanked Greene for believing him.
Baker explained the Hall of Fame flag”would be flown in half-staff in Kevin’s memory”