Joe Greene Retires From Pittsburgh Steelers Personnel Department
By Josh Sanchez
Pittsbugh Steelers Hall of Fame defensive lineman Joe Greene has been a big part of the team’s organization for a number of years. Greene played from 1969-81 and was also the Steelers’ defensive line coach from 1987 to 1991. He then left the black and gold for a little more than a decade before returning to the team as a special assistant to Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert where he would evaluate talent for the team.
Now, Greene’s time with the Steelers has come to an end.
The team announced on Monday that Greene has retired from his position in the Steelers personnel department.
“There are very few people in the history of the NFL who have had a greater impact on one franchise than Joe Greene has had on the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement issued by the club.
“As a player, Joe was the cornerstone of the greatest defense of all time. As a coach, Joe helped Chuck Noll finish his tenure as head coach. Then we were fortunate to have Joe rejoin the organization in our player personnel department for the last nine years, which included two more Super Bowl championships.
“Joe has been an inspiration in this organization in many different capacities over so many years. We will miss Joe Greene, but he will certainly continue to serve as an ambassador of this organization for many years.”
Greene delivered a heartfelt goodbye to the organization in a statement of his own.
“When I played, our success was based on the people there — the players, coaches and front office — and I felt the same way when I was in scouting,” Greene said. “The people were very important to me, brought me along and made me feel comfortable, and I thought we made a pretty good team together.
“The people that I was working with made it all good for me — made it important to me — made it special. I will miss everyone in the Steelers organization.”
Greene will be forever remembered by the team and the fans as one of the greatest Steelers, if not NFL players, of all-time.