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NFL worlds pays tribute to the legendary Kevin Greene following his tragic death

Kevin Greene
11 Nov 1990: Linebacker Kevin Greene of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the New York Giants at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Giants won the game, 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Starting in 1985 with the Los Angeles Rams and concluding his career with the Carolina Panthers, Kevin Greene is considered the first of a new mold of pass rushers. He dominated for a good dozen years in the NFL with four different teams, earning five Pro Bowls and making his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In what has to be considered tragic news around the NFL world, Kevin Greene passed away on Monday at the young age of 58.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene dies at 58

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” said Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker in a statement. “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. 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 forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”

A fifth-round pick of the Rams back in 1985, Kevin Greene put up some of his best seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That team’s president Art Rooney II also released a statement.

“We lost an amazing player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene. His sudden death is a shock to us all as he was a close friend and teammate to so many people in the Steelers family,” Rooney II said, via the Steelers’ official website. “When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993 he had an immediate impact. Paired with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became known as Blitzburgh and went on to play in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm were inspiring for our team as well as our fans.”

Kevin Greene played for the Steelers from 1993-95. He recorded a whopping 36.5 sacks on those three seasons, helping Pittsburgh earn a Super Bowl appearance in the process. He’s beloved in the Steel City and reminded fans in Pittsburgh of the Steel Curtain-type players of decades before. His tenacity and love for the game was unmatched.

Hall of Famer Kevin Greene dies at 58
`Sep 30, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Kevin Greene sits on the bench before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, Kevin Greene recorded a whopping 160 sacks (third all-time) throughout his 15-year career. That included putting up double-digit sacks for the Rams, Steelers, 49ers and Panthers.

Equally as important as those four teams, their fans and their cities, Kevin Greene had the admiration and respect from generations of those involved in professional football. After his playing career, the all-time great served as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. He last coached the Jets’ outside linebackers in 2018.

Greene is survived by his wife, Tara, and three children. There’s no cause of death as of right now.

Needless to say, the NFL world paid their respects to the all-time great linebacker following news of his passing and to wrap up a year in which the sports world has been dealt some major losses.

NFL world pays tribute to Kevin Greene following his tragic passing

https://twitter.com/RenegadeBlitz/status/1341151481387466755?s=20
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1341151680583397376?s=20

We join everyone in giving our best to the Kevin Greene family and those close to him following his tragic death. Generations of football players and fans have him to thank for their love of the game.

You will be missed.

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