North Texas to briefly unretire Mean Joe Greene’s number this weekend

North Texas is wearing throwback uniforms this weekend, and Mean Joe Greene’s number will be briefly unretired.

On the college football landscape as a whole and surely in Texas, North Texas is something of a forgotten, redheaded stepchild. Mean Joe Greene is a rare legend in the program’s history and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, so of course his No. 75 has long since been retired by the school.

The Mean Green are 4-0 this season, highlighted by wins over SMU and Arkansas, and they will open Conference USA play against Louisiana Tech on Saturday night. Greene was an All-American in 1968 before embarking on his Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as one of the anchors of the famed “Steel Curtain” defense. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the All-American campaign, the school will be unveiling a statue honoring Greene and the team will wear throwback uniforms to honor the era he played in.

“For over 50 years, Joe Greene has made a tremendous impact on our university and the athletic program,” athletic director Wren Baker said in a statement announcing the statue. “As a football player, as an alumnus and as a regent, he has made significant contributions to this campus and brought great honor to the Mean Green family.

“He is one of the greatest defensive linemen in the history of football and he’s one of us. We are very excited to recognize Joe’s achievements and contributions with this statue.”

Greene’s No. 75 will be unretired just for the game against the conference rival Bulldogs, and junior defensive end LaDarius Hamilton has been chosen to wear it. To make that announcement, the Mean Green published a video that’s a clear throwback to the legendary Coca-Cola commercial Greene starred in.

The above clip is of course the memorable Coke ad, if you need a refresher.

Unretiring a number is a little odd. But as part of the way Greene is being honored, and seemingly with his blessing, it’s just fine in this case.