"Mean" Joe Greene

Denton, Texas: Known as “Mean Joe” throughout his career, Charles Edward Greene, standout defensive tackle for the North Texas State University Eagles, displays his defensive skills at Fouts Field in Denton, Texas. Greene played for UNT from 1966-68. The Eagles later became known as the “Mean Green,” an alternate nickname brought about by Mean Joe’s legacy and the school colors.

Pittsburgh’s most famous Steeler started as UNT’s most versatile defensive player.

To initiate a turnabout in the failing Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, then-coach Chuck Noll bypassed more recognizable talent from heavyweight college programs, drafting instead a relative unknown from an obscure college in Denton, Texas.

Back then he was known simply as Joe Greene, a defensive lineman selected in the first round of the 1969 draft from North Texas State University (known today as the University of North Texas). All grousing over the controversial choice soon vanished as Greene began collecting honors and Super Bowl rings, ensconcing himself in the American sports lexicon as “Mean” Joe Greene. Longtime club president and now owner (since 1988) Dan Rooney calls Greene the all-time greatest Steeler. He was utterly indomitable, passionate to a fault, the linchpin of perhaps the most ornery NFL defense ever. The “Steel Curtain” emerged as the 1970s gold standard of professional defenses, grinding up opponents en route to four Super Bowl wins.

The powerful lineman was voted into 10 Pro Bowls during a 13-year NFL career, which included NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1972 and 1974. Bill Mercer, the former longtime voice of UNT sports, called Greene the most famous athlete to come out of Denton. “He wasn’t as big as some of the guys who play today,” Mercer says. “But he was so blasted quick. They could put two guys on him, and he’d still manage to make plays.”

Greene, 61, who now lives in nearby Flower Mound, spent 16 years as an NFL assistant coach after his playing days. Today he scouts for the Steelers, evaluating teams before they face Pittsburgh.

Oddly enough, the “Mean Joe” legend, shaped largely by brute force, was later fortified by a historically sweet TV moment. Coca-Cola’s heartwarming spot from 1980—which ends with a limping Greene tossing his jersey to a wide-eyed kid, who, responds, “Wow! Thanks, Mean Joe!”—once finished atop a USAToday.com online poll of all-time best Super Bowl commercials.