For only the second time in the history of the organization, the Pittsburgh Steelers will officially retire a jersey number to honor a Steeler great.
Hall of Fame defensive lineman and the first pick of the Chuck Noll era in 1969, Joe Greene will join fellow Hall of Famer Ernie Stautner as the only Steelers to be granted this special honor, as his No. 75 will officially be retired.
Greene, generally considered the cornerstone of the “Steel Curtain” defense and one of the greatest defensive lineman in NFL history, was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-Pro, and of course, a four-time Super Bowl champion. Greene would record 78.5 sacks over his illustrious career before retiring in 1981.
Greene went on to coach for both the Steelers and Cardinals organizations and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Greene’s number will be retired in an official ceremony when the Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens on November 2nd in a nationally televised game on NBC.
