Charles Edward Greene was born in Temple, Texas, on September 24, 1946. “Joe” Greene would go on to become one of the most important pillars of one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history more than 20 years later.
Greene, a two-time defensive player of the year, guided the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories over a six-year period between 1974 and 1979. The Steelers formally retired Greene’s No. 75 jersey in 2014 when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first vote.
Greene played defensive tackle for 13 seasons and served as an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. Here are 5 facts about Joe Greene
“Joe” and “Mean Joe” : Name’s Origin
In a 2014 interview with NFL Films, Greene revealed that his aunt gave him the nickname Joe because of his likeness to boxing legend Joe Louis, who was in the middle of a 12-year heavyweight championship run when Greene was born.
In paper, the Eagles defense was first referred to as “Mean Green” in 1967. In 1968, the moniker started to be applied to the full squad. Every school’s athletic team adopted the moniker “Mean Green” in 2000. When Pittsburgh picked Greene with the fourth overall pick in the 1969 draft, the moniker went with him.
Stands were not spared once as Joe threw football there during a game
It was obvious that Greene wasn’t excited about joining a Steelers club that had gone 2-11-1 the previous season because he detested losing. And while first-year coach Chuck Noll would ultimately lead the Steelers to victory, his initial squad would win their first match before going on to drop their next 13 games.
Greene’s first defeat, a 41-27 defeat in Philadelphia, sent him into a rage. Greene grabbed the ball and flung it into the crowd after the Eagles secured the victory with a first down.
In 1974, Greene came close to leaving the squad
Greene almost left the Steelers during the 1974 season due of his competitive drive. Joe stayed at home the night the Dolphins destroyed the Bengals after the Steelers’ 8-3-1 record was damaged by a Week 12 setback to the Oilers, which was a 13-10 defeat.
He expressed his surprise that his team couldn’t be more like the Dolphins, who seemed to be headed for a third straight championship. The following day, Greene visited the Steelers’ facility with the purpose of permanently leaving.
Mean Joe Greene 😤
An anchor of the Steel Curtain is now cemented as a member on the #NFL100 All-Time Team!
📺: NFL 100 All-Time Team on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/Lumn0vG1hM
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 30, 2019
With nerve damage, Greene played for half of his career
Greene became aware of a lack of feeling in his right arm and shoulder in the middle of his sixth season. Both of Greene’s bodily portions had lasting nerve damage. When he helped injured teammate Lynn Swann off the pitch during that year’s AFC Championship Game, it became clear that he was hurt.
Greene managed to win three additional Super Bowls, be chosen for four Pro Bowls, and be named an All-Pro in 1977 despite having a weak left arm.
The well-known Coca-Cola advertisement
Legend has it that Greene drank 18 bottles of Coca-Cola, or 2.25 gallons, during his famous commercial, which debuted during the Steelers’ 31-19 victory over the Rams in the Super Bowl.
Nobody is aware of the whereabouts of the jersey Greene infamously threw to Tommy Okon while he was still a young actor, but he made sure his new pal received his No. 75 jersey.
