Greene was 58 years old. No cause of death was reported.
The pro-soccer hall said Greene, a star of the defensive and defensive end defender during a 15-year career, died at his home in Florida.
“We lost a player and an amazing person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “His sudden death is a shock to all of us, because he was a close friend and teammate for so many people in the Steelers family.
“When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993 (after eight seasons with the Rams) he had an immediate impact. Together with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became known as the Blitzburgh and continued to play in the Super Bowl. XXX “. Rooney said. “Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm have been inspiring for both our team and our fans.”
A step up from Auburn University, Greene was a pick in the fifth round of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1985 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Rams, Steelers, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers. He played in 228 games, was named to the Pro Bowl five times and has been a member of the NFL All-Decade team since the 1990s. He led the league in sacks twice, in 1994 and 1996, when each time he was All-Decade. Pro.
His 160 sacks are the third since the NFL began compiling statistics in 1982.
“I liked receiving a bag,” Greene said, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. “My teammates depended on me to do this. I contributed. I didn’t want to let my colleagues fall … (It was just me who made a contribution and I didn’t disappoint my brothers.”
While with the Steelers, Greene played in six conference championship games and a Super Bowl.
“I believed in my heart that I was unlockable and it was a phenomenal experience,” Greene said of his time with Pittsburgh, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.
Greene helped the Panthers reach the NFC title in 1996. He retired after the 1999 season and was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will keep his legacy alive forever to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be hoisted at half-staff in his memory. Kevin “.
CNN’s Steve Almasy contributed to this report.