Mean Joe Greene Has Steelers Jersey Retired (GIF)

Only the second player to have his number retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mean Joe Greene saw his number 75 join number 70 in retirement Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Only the second player to have his number retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mean Joe Greene saw his number 75 join number 70 in retirement Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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Only the second player to have his number retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mean Joe Greene saw his number 75 join number 70 in retirement

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Former

NFL

and Pittsburgh Steelers great ‘Mean’ Joe Greene saw his number 75 jersey retired on Sunday night during halftime of the game against the

Baltimore Ravens

.  It is just the second number ever retired by the franchise.

Before Sunday night, only defensive tackle Ernie Stautner’s number 70 had been retired.  Stautner played for the Steelers from 1950-1963.  As for Greene, the defensive tackle was a member of the team from 1969-1981.

Greene’s resume says it all.  NFL.com ranked him the 13th-best player of all-time.  He made 11 Pro Bowl’s. He was a five-time First-team All-Pro and a three-time Second-team All-Pro.  Oh and he was the anchor of a defensive line that helped the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships.

In addition, Greene was the 1969 Defensive Rookie of the Year.  Twice he won Defensive Player of the Year.  He entered the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1987.  He is also on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Tonight’s ceremony is just the cherry on top of the pie.  It’s certainly not everyday the Steelers retire a jersey number.  Just think of the players that have gone through Pittsburgh.  Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, none of them have had their jersey retired.  That just goes to show how special Greene was.

After his playing days, Greene coached for 16 years.  He coached for the Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and the Arizona Cardinals.   He retired from coaching in 2004.