Kevin Greene, former Pittsburgh Steelers LB and Hall of Famer, dies at 58 – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA / AP) – Former Pittsburgh Stevens driver Kevin Greene has died at the age of 58, Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday.

No cause of death was reported.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “I considered him a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. She had the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I have ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will keep his legacy forever to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be hoisted at half-staff in Kevin’s memory. “

The defender spent three years in Pittsburgh during his 15-year career in 1993-95. Greene was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft.

Greene was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Related story: Pittsburgh Steelers Nation remembers defender Kevin Greene

“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, he had an immediate impact. Together with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became known as Blitzburg and continued to play in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm were inspiring for both our team and our fans.

“My condolences to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their children and the entire Greene family at this difficult time. They will always be members of the Steelers family and our thoughts and prayers. ”

Known for his long blonde locks, ruthless search for the defender and ubiquitous charisma – which helped him in his short career as a professional fighter – Greene took full advantage of his skills.

“I wasn’t the biggest (and) I wasn’t the fastest,” Greene once said. “But as long as you have an engine, you have a heart … that will overcome any physical limitations.”

Greene regularly used the study of the film to look for the opponent’s weakness.

“I figured out how to get through the rush,” Greene said. “I figured out how to put a guy, an offensive attack three to four inches taller, 80 pounds heavier, to put him in a position of failure, and I did that.”

A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl, Greene ended his career with 160 sacks, ranking third in league history, behind only Bruce Smith (200) and Reggie White (198). He also had 23 forced candies and five interceptions.

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