Hall of Fame linebacker and one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, Kevin Greene passed away on Monday at the age of 58. His death was confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Greene’s family.
Greene was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 1985 and also by the Los Angeles Rams in the 5th round of the NFL Draft. Greene appeared in 15 games for the Rams as a rookie without a sack and 13.5 over the next two seasons playing primarily at defensive end.
Moving to left outside linebacker in 1988 Greene came into his own, recording 16.5 sacks and made his first Pro Bowl the following season after another 16.5 sacks season. After 13 sacks in 1990, Greene was moved back to defensive end and his production plummeted to only three sacks. After one more season with the Rams, Greene became a free agent and looked for a team that played a 3-4 defense to maximize his production.
Greene signed with the Steelers and has 12.5 sacks in 1993 before leading the league with 14 sacks in 1994, earning Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. Despite another pro bowl season in 1995, the Steelers decided to part ways with Greene due to salary cap issues and focus on building the team with younger players.
Greene signed with the Carolina Panthers a year after their inaugural season and led the league in sacks with 14.5, leading the team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite Greene’s success, there was turmoil between him and the Panthers’ organization leading the team to cut him. Greene went on to sign with the San Francisco 49ers and recorded 10.5 sacks. Greene re-signed with the Panthers and finished his career 27 sacks in his final two seasons and another Pro Bowl selection.
Known for his heart, determination, charisma, and long blond hair, Greene made the most of his skills. He admitted that he wasn’t the strongest or the fastest, but his sheer determination and desire made up for any physical limitations he had. In addition, he was able to figure out how to beat his man off the line regularly by using films to research opponent’s weaknesses. Greene retired third on the all-time sack list with 160 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Following Greene’s retirement, he dabbled for a short time in the WCW and later went on to coach linebackers in Green Bay from 2008 through 2014 and for the Jets from 2017 to 2019. Former Packers’ coach and current Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had high praise for Greene, noting that for five years he brought great energy to the office and displayed his passion for the game, touching a lot of people along the way.
Greene leaves behind his wife Tara, a son, Gavin, and daughter, Gabrielle. No cause of death has been released.
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KG, was a beast…I remember when we would play Carolina he would give Farve fits. I wonder if his death was CTE related? Well Godspeed Kevin.
Hell…i wonder if CTE is even a real thing.
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Wouldn’t it be a real thing in boxing, the UFC where they have no head protection?
Maybe it’s just a NFL injury…idk.
Caught Rod Woodson on Rich Eisen yesterday. Rod said something about Kevin hadnt been feeling well that day and collapsed. Possible heart attack? Just sad man. Loved KG as a kid growing up in the 90s. The whole persona. He was like some sort of evangelist from the south with a country twang mixed in with ol west but he looked like a wrestler. It was strange but awesome. Just the worst news to hear this time of the year.
Could be anything, John Ritter was filming his sitcom show, told everyone he needed a rest, he wasn’t feeling well. Went to go lay down. They took him to the hospital across the street from where they film. He died five hours later in surgery with a torn heart vessel…. aorta or something like that.
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When the good Lord decides it’s your time….it’s time.
Memorandum….or Memoriam?
oops
It was 5 o clock somewhere.
In unrelated….
Who has the better odds…….
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The Packers winning the Super Bowl this season
or
Dwayne Haskins getting a 2nd contract?
He is headed for a path like Jamarcus Russell. Out of football. I always head to a strip joint to celebrate a loss during a Pandemic. Who knew strip clubs were open anyway? Dan Snyder needs to sell that team, they have been a disgrace since he owned them. Dwayne just adds to that long list of bad decisions.
I’ll tell you straight up Ferris…..
Russell’s name came to my mind in an instant when i heard some talking head insiders talking about Russell’s lack of motivation, his lack of commitment to learning his craft. That was BEFORE the stripper story!!
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Then he comes out, to “correct” the current story…that he wasn’t at a strip club, but that he “hired” strippers to come to his house for a “private party”. As if…..that explanation is somehow less damning than the original.
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2 things came to mind…
1) Don’t guarantee every dollar of a 1st round’s pick contract.
2) Then i wondered, who had a higher wonderlic score…. Haskins, or Vince Young? Because if Haskins is any higher than 8…i call BS.
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As far as the better odds…..
If the Packers get a first round bye…i give them a .0082654 advantage.
If the Packers get steamrolled by the Titans….i call it a dead tie.
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Here’s where it gets interesting…for us, the fans.
After the Panthers slapped him on the wrist with a paltry 40k fine, after being demoted to 3rd string, he may be starting due to Alex Smiths injury.
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I’m always up for watching a train wreck….especially when it involves a dullard who was given far too much money.
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For those who pay attention to the draft and what players articulately tweet when mad after not being picked 6th in the draft……
“The league done messed up” – Dwayne Haskins
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Needless to say….Mensa International is in no danger of recruiting Dwayne Haskins.
* Washington
Good question;;;; I’ll play it safe and keep my wallet in my back pocket. gotta know when to hold em, and when to fold em! IDK
There’s always some type of drama going on in the NFL. Lately it’s Haskins and strippers, Smith-Shuster dancing on the oppositions mid field logo while on Tik-Tok, and so on. The Washington team, year after year; always has some kind of dark cloud hanging over it. Leadership at the top is to blame cause it happens way to often. I kind of feel sorry for Ron Rivera, who is well respected as a man and a coach. Lately the Steelers have had their fair share of headaches too. L. Bell, A. Brown, and now Smith-Schuster. Tomlin is a good coach, but I think he runs a loose ship. On a lighter note, I’m wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season GO PACK, GO1
Can’t blame Riverboat Ron for cashing those checks. Don’t feel bad for him he knew what a shit show it was.
Yea, i agree…there are only so many head coaching jobs available each season. Elite coaches can pick n choose somewhat…to a point. Others take what they can get.
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Washington isn’t the ideal destination in the NFL, but it’s a destination.
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Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Ya, goes to show ya; money speaks louder than words! Amazing how a few extra paychecks, (or bigger checks); can sway a person to think the shit doesn’t stink that bad!
#SignKumerow. It’s the hair.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone! On the Kevin Greene note, watch the A Football Life about him on YouTube. It’s awesome
https://youtu.be/bZP4uAKftIc
Playing in the NFL is predicated on two things: either your kicking your man’s ass or he is kicking yours, there is no in between.
Hell of a tribute on you tube on K. Greene;;;;;;; Thanks Kato! All I can so about Greene; a mans’ man! R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Ok boys….breaks over.