Kevin Greene

Hall of Fame NFL defensive end and linebacker.

What is Kevin Greene known for?

Kevin Darwin Greene, a distinguished alum of Granite City High School in Granite City, Illinois, was a force to be reckoned with on both the professional football field and the coaching sidelines. Greene, born on July 31, 1962, in Schenectady, New York, was an accomplished National Football League (NFL) defensive end and linebacker.

Boasting a notable playing career from 1985 to 1999, Greene had stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers. His maritime record of 160 career sacks still sits at an elite third place among NFL career sack leaders. However, Greene's achievements weren't limited to the playing field. He also contributed to the game off the field as an outside linebackers' coach for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.

In addition to these accomplishments, Greene's career is punctuated by several awards and recognitions. He was a three-time All-Pro, two-time league leader in sacks, and was acknowledged as NFL Defensive Player of the Year and UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. Greene was also a five-time Pro Bowl invitee and was elected to the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. On a team-level, Greene holds a place in the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor, and as a coach, he claimed a Super Bowl championship in XLV.

Greene's playing statistics further underscore his influence on the game. He recorded an impressive 773 tackles, 160 sacks, 5 interceptions, forced 23 fumbles, and recovered 26 fumbles.

Off the field, Greene first began playing football on military bases, as his father was a colonel in the army. Among the places he lived, his family spent three years in Mannheim, Germany before finally settling in Granite City, Illinois, in 1976.

Regrettably, Kevin Greene passed away on December 21, 2020, in Destin, Florida. His legacy as a dominant player and coach in the NFL continues to resonate, making him a truly notable alumnus of Granite City High School.

For more detailed statistics, please check NFL.com and Pro Football Reference.