Steelers' Greene to be receive Dapper Dan Award

Friday, October 15, 2010
By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/?m=1

Outside linebacker Andy Russell once said defensive tackle Joe Greene meant more to the Steelers than any other player during their dynasty of the 1970s.

Art Rooney Jr., the personnel director for the drafts that produced multiple Hall of Famers, called him the "El Cid of the Pittsburgh Steelers," using a term in Old Spanish that can be translated as "The Champion."

"He was the cornerstone. He was the greatest player in the history of the franchise at the appropriate time and place," Rooney said.

And now Greene -- Hall of Fame player, coach and currently a special assistant with the Steelers -- will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Dapper Dan Dinner & Sports Auction.

The announcement was made Thursday at the worldwide movie premiere of "The Chief," which is based on the recollections of Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney, at the Byham Theater. The award previously has gone to Arnold Palmer, Joe Paterno, Dick LeBeau and Bruno Sammartino.

"To be mentioned in that company is very humbling," said Greene, 64, when notified of the honor. "It's special to be honored by your adopted hometown. When I look back to coming to Pittsburgh for the first time in 1969, I never dreamed of something like this happening. After so many years have passed, it's a complete surprise but absolutely wonderful. Just fantastic."

Greene has been center stage for some of the most important moments in franchise history. Not only was he named to the All-Time Steelers team, he served as the front person for the franchise's 75th anniversary celebration in 2007. When Dan Rooney was inducted into the Hall of Fame, he asked Greene to be his presenter. And Greene was a dignitary when ground was broken for Heinz Field.

But he made his greatest mark as the anchor of the Steel Curtain front four after he became the first player drafted under Chuck Noll, who was hired as coach just before the 1969 draft.

Greene was the fourth player taken overall in '69, and the Pittsburgh Press' headline asked "Who's Joe Greene?" But every NFL scout knew about his prodigious talents as a defensive lineman at North Texas State University.

Born Charles Edward Greene Sept. 24, 1946, he was known as Mean Joe for his intimidating and dominating style of play over 13 seasons. He won four Super Bowl rings as a player, then got two more after he became a special assistant in 2004.

"The last two were infinitely easier than the other four for me," he said, chuckling.

After his playing days ended, Greene returned to the NFL as Noll's defensive line coach. He later coached the defensive line for the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals before the Steelers brought him back in 2004.

Greene also filmed an award-winning commercial for Coca-Cola in 1979, and the ad is still popular on YouTube.

The 2011 Dapper Dan Dinner & Sports Auction will be held Feb. 9, three days after the Super Bowl, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. BNY Mellon is returning as the presenting sponsor.

Information about tickets and other awards will be announced later. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the six-member executive committee of the Dapper Dan.

Robert Dvorchak: bdvorchak@post-gazette.com

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