Hall of Fame defensive tackle Joe Greene has not died, the Pittsburgh Steelers told multiple outlets Friday, despite speculation to the contrary on social media.
The Steelers told TMZ and other outlets that reports of Greene’s death were “not accurate.”
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Additionally, longtime NFL reporter John McClain wrote on social media that he had spoken to Greene’s family and confirmed that the four-time Super Bowl champion is alive and well.
“Fortunately, Joe Greene has NOT died,” McClain wrote. “That report was fake news. Joe is doing great!!!”
Greene, 79, nicknamed “Mean Joe,” spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Steelers, winning four Super Bowls with the team (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979 seasons). He earned 10 Pro Bowl nods throughout his career, was named first team All-Pro five times, and won the NFL Man of the Year award (now Walter Payton Man of the Year) in 1979.
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Prior to that, Greene played for the North Texas Mean Green, which adopted the name while Greene was playing there in 1966. The program retired his No. 75 jersey in 1981. The Steelers retired Greene’s No. 75 in 2014.
Greene was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984, before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
