Hall of Fame pass-rusher Kevin Greene dies at 58
Prolific pass-rusher Kevin Greene died at the age of 58 on Monday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced.
Greene was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He remains third all time in sacks with 160 following a 15-year playing career.
"I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met," Hall of Fame president David Baker said in a statement.
Greene played college football at Auburn and was selected in the fifth round of the 1985 draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Greene ascended into the upper echelon of defensive players during his tenure with the Rams, recording 72.5 sacks over eight years.
He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993, becoming a force on their vaunted defense throughout the 1990s. Greene played only three seasons in Pittsburgh but was a dominant figure, making two Pro Bowls and appearing in one Super Bowl.
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Kevin Greene: pic.twitter.com/QkbM6gYyIk
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 21, 2020
Greene spent the twilight of his career with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers before transitioning into coaching, and he won a Super Bowl as a member of the Green Bay Packers' staff in Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers.
He made his last coaching appearance with the New York Jets in 2018 as their outside linebackers coach.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Greene was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 and twice led the league in sacks.