During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II announced that the team will retire the No. 75 jersey this year to honor Hall of Fame defensive lineman Joe Greene.
Green’s number will be just the second one retired by the Steelers in the history of the franchise. Ernie Stautner, who also played on the defensive line for the Steelers from 1950–1963, had his No. 70 retired by the franchise in October of 1964.
Greene was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of North Texas and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the season. He also received the first of his 10 Pro Bowl invitations that same year. During his career, Greene was named All-NFL five times, and earned all-conference recognition 11 straight years from 1969 to 1979. In both 1972 and 1974, Greene was also selected as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2014 season is the 40th anniversary of the Steelers first Super Bowl Championship and Greene’s number will be retired during the Steelers Week 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.
Steelers President Art Rooney II and Chairman Dan Rooney with the #JoeGreene75 jersey. pic.twitter.com/y802Tp8qHK
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 30, 2014
