Kevin Greene Kevin Greene, a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1985 NFL Draft, quickly developed into one of the most punishing pass rushers in league history. A walk-on at Auburn he was drafted into the NFL as a linebacker and played at that position for the majority of his 15-season career with the Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers. He also saw some action at defensive end mostly during his tenure with the Rams. He played primarily on special teams as a rookie and that year marked the only one of his career in which he did not register a sack (although he did have a sack in the playoffs). Although he did not have any starts in his second season he played in all 16 games and managed seven sacks. He added 6.5 sacks in 1987. By his fourth season he had turned into a bona fide pass rusher for the Rams as he registered a career-high 16.5 sacks. Included in that total were his career-best 4.5 sacks in a 38-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale that clinched a playoff spot for the Rams. The following year Greene matched his total from 88 when he again turned in 16.5 sacks. In all, Greene had double-digit sack totals ten times, a mark that put him second in the record book at the time. The only time he missed recording 10 sacks in any of his last eight seasons was when he had a team-leading nine sacks for the Steelers in 1995. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times (once with the Rams, and twice with the Steelers and Panthers). Greene was selected first-team All-Pro in 1989 with the Rams, in 1994 with Pittsburgh and with Carolina in 1996. He captured the league sack title twice, the first time in 1994 and again in 1996. Greene, a member of the NFL s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, played in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl. He led his team in sacks 11 times during his career and amassed 160 total sacks which ranked him third all-time following his retirement after the 1999 season. He also had three safeties, 26 opponent fumble recoveries, and five interceptions.
Kevin Greene Linebacker/Defensive End 6-3, 247 Auburn 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers (15 playing seasons) Biographical Background Full Name: Kevin Darwin Greene Birthdate: July 31, 1962 Birthplace: New York, New York High School: South (Granite City, IL) Pro Career: 15 seasons, 228 games Drafted: 5th round (113th player overall) of 1985 draft by the Los Angeles Rams Career Statistics All-League Teams Sacks Year Team G No. 1985 L.A. Rams 15 0.0 1986 L.A. Rams 16 7.0 1987 L.A. Rams 9 6.5 1988 L.A. Rams 16 16.5 1989 L.A. Rams 16 16.5 1990 L.A. Rams 15 13.0 1991 L.A. Rams 16 3.0 1992 L.A. Rams 16 10.0 1993 Pittsburgh 16 12.5 1994 Pittsburgh 16 14.0 1995 Pittsburgh 16 9.0 1996 Carolina 16 14.5 1997 San Francisco 14 10.5 1998 Carolina 15 15.0 1999 Carolina 16 12.0 Career Total 228 160.0 Additional Career Statistics: Interceptions: 5-53, 1 TD; Safeties: 3; Fumble Recovery for TD: 2 All-Pro: 1989 (NEA, SN) 1994 (AP, PFWA) 1996 (AP, PFWA) All-Pro Second Team: 1989 (AP) All-NFC: 1996 (UPI, PW) All-NFC Second Team: 1989 (UPI) All-AFC: 1994 (PW) All-AFC Second Team: 1994 (UPI)
Kevin Greene, Page 2 Pro Bowls (5) 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 In the NFL Record Book (at time of his retirement following 1999 season) [Tied for 1st] Most Seasons Leading League, Sacks 2 (1994, 1996) [2nd] Most Seasons 10 or More Sacks 10 [Tied for 2nd] Most Safeties, Career 3 [3rd] Most Sacks, Career 160.0 [3rd] Most Opponent Fumble Recoveries 26 Postseason Records [Tied for 2nd] Most Sacks, Game 3 (vs. Minnesota, Dec. 26, 1988) Team Records Rams records held by Greene (Records through the 1992 season, Greene s final season with Los Angeles) [1st] Most Safeties, Career 3 [2nd] Most Sacks, Game 4.5 (at San Francisco, Dec. 18, 1988) [3rd] Most Sacks, Season 16.5 (1988, 1989) Postseason Records [Tied for 1st] Most Sacks, Game 3 (vs. Minnesota, Dec. 26, 1988) [2nd] Most Sacks, Career 7.0 Steelers records held by Greene (Records through the 1995 season, Greene s final season with Pittsburgh) [Tied for 2nd] Most Sacks, Season 14.0 (1994) Panthers records held by Greene (Records through the 2000 season, Greene s final season with Carolina) [1st] Most Sacks, Career 41.5 [1st] Most Sacks, Season 15.0 (1998) [1st] Most Opponents Fumble Recoveries, Career 7 [1st] Longest Fumble Return 66t (vs. St. Louis, Oct. 13, 1996) [Tied for 1st] Most Fumble Returns for Touchdowns, Game 1 (vs. St. Louis, Oct. 13, 1996) [Tied for 1st] Most Fumble Returns for Touchdowns, Season 1 (1996) [Tied for 1st] Most Fumble Returns for Touchdowns, Career 1 [Tied for 1st] Most Forced Fumbles, Career - 7 [Tied for 1st] Most Sacks, Game 4.0 (vs. Atlanta, Sept. 6, 1998) [2nd] Most Sacks, Season 14.5 (1996) [2nd] Most Forced Fumbles, Season 5 (1996)
Kevin Greene, Page 3 League/Team Statistical Titles NFL Statistical Championships Sack Titles: 1994, 1996 AFC Statistical Championships Sack Titles: 1994 NFC Statistical Championships Sack Titles: 1996 Team Statistical Championships Sack Titles: 1988 LA, 1989 LA, 1990 LA, 1991 LA, 1992 LA, 1993 P, 1994 P, 1995 P, 1996 C, 1998 C, 1999 C LA Los Angeles Rams P Pittsburgh Steelers C Carolina Panthers Awards and Honors NFL All-Decade Team of 1990s 1994 AFC Linebacker of the Year (NFLPA) 1996 Defensive Player of the Year (UPI) Year-by-Year Team Records 1985 L.A. Rams... 11-5-0 (1st) 1986 L.A. Rams... 10-6-0 (2nd) 1987 L.A. Rams... 6-9-0 (3rd) 1988 L.A. Rams... 10-6-0 (2nd) 1989 L.A. Rams... 11-5-0 (2nd) 1990 L.A. Rams... 5-11-0 (3rd) 1991 L.A. Rams... 3-13-0 (4th) 1992 L.A. Rams... 6-10-0 (4th) 1993 Pittsburgh Steelers... 9-7-0 (2nd) 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers... 12-4-0 (1st) 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers... 11-5-0 (1st) 1996 Carolina Panthers... 12-4-0 (1st) 1997 San Francisco 49ers... 13-3-0 (1st) 1998 Carolina Panthers... 4-12-0 (4th) 1999 Carolina Panthers... 8-8-0 (2nd) (Division Finish in Parentheses) Qualified for Postseason in Bold Championship Games 1985 NFC Chicago Bears 24, Los Angeles Rams 0 Greene did not start but did play in the game. He had one assist. 1989 NFC San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 3 Greene started the game at outside linebacker. He had two tackles and one pass defensed. 1994 AFC San Diego Chargers 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 13 Greene started the game at left outside linebacker. He had one assist. 1995 AFC Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Indianapolis Colts 16 Greene started the game at left outside linebacker. He had one tackle, four assists and a half sack. 1996 NFC Green Bay Packers 30, Carolina Panthers 13 Greene started the game at left outside linebacker. He had four tackle and three assists.
1997 NFC Green Bay Packers 23, San Francisco 49ers 10 Greene did not start but played in the game. He did not register any statistics. Super Bowls Super Bowl XXX Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17 Greene started the game at left outside linebacker. He recorded two tackles. Kevin Greene, Page 4 Media Guide Excerpts 1999 Carolina Panthers Media Guide biography DOES NOT INCLUDE GREENE S FINAL SEASON IN CAROLINA (1999)
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Kevin Greene Sacks by Game Games with a sack Multi-sack games 110 43 LA 18; PIT 9; CAR 13; SF 3 Record when Greene recorded a sack 69-41 LA 29-21; PIT 18-7; CAR 15-12; SF 7-1 Record when Greene recorded more than one sack 30-13 LA 14-4; PIT 7-2; CAR 7-6; SF 2-1 Date Opponent Sack(s) Sept. 14, 1986 San Francisco 49ers (W, 16-13) 1.0 Sept. 21, 1986 at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-7) 0.5 Sept. 28, 1986 at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 20-34) 0.5 Oct. 5, 1986 Tampa Bay Buccanneers (W, 26-20) 2.0 Oct. 12, 1986 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 14-26) 1.0 Nov. 16, 1986 New England Patriots (L, 28-30) 2.0 Sept. 13, 1987 at Houston Oilers (L, 16-20) 1.0 Nov. 23, 1987 at Washington Redskins (W, 30-26) 2.0 Nov. 29, 1987 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 35-3) 1.5 Dec. 13, 1987 Atlanta Falcons (W, 33-0) 1.0 Dec. 21, 1987 Dallas Cowboys (L, 21-29) 1.0 Sept. 4, 1988 at Green Bay Packers (W, 34-7) 2.0 Sept. 11, 1988 Detroit Lions (W, 17-10) 1.0 Sept. 18, 1988 at Los Angeles Raiders (W, 22-17) 1.0 Sept. 25, 1988 at New York Giants (W, 45-31) 2.0 Oct. 2, 1988 Phoenix Cardinals (L, 27-41) 1.0 Oct. 9, 1988 at Atlanta Falcons (W, 33-0) 3.0 Nov. 20, 1988 San Diego Chargers (L, 24-38) 1.0 Nov. 27, 1988 at Denver Broncos (L, 24-35) 1.0 Dec. 18, 1988 at San Francisco 49ers (W, 38-16) 4.5 Sept. 10, 1989 at Atlanta Falcons ATL (W, 31-21) 3.0 Sept. 24, 1989 Green Bay Packers (W, 41-38) 1.0 Oct. 8, 1989 Atlanta Falcons (W, 26-14) 2.0 Oct. 22, 1989 New Orleans Saints (L, 21-40) 0.5 Oct. 29, 1989 at Chicago Bears (L, 10-20) 1.0 Nov. 12, 1989 New York Giants (W, 31-10) 2.0 Nov. 19, 1989 Phoenix Cardinals (W, 37-14) 2.0 Nov. 26, 1989 at New Orleans Saints (W, 20-17) 2.0 Dec. 3, 1989 at Dallas Cowboys (W, 35-31) 1.0 Dec. 11, 1989 San Francisco 49ers (L, 27-30) 1.0 Dec. 24, 1989 at New England Patriots (W, 24-20) 1.0 Sept. 16, 1990 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 35-14) 1.0
Kevin Greene, game by game sacks Sept. 23, 1990 Philadelphia Eagles (L, 21-27) 1.0 Oct. 21, 1990 Atlanta Falcons (W, 44-24) 1.0 Nov. 4, 1990 Houston Oilers (W, 17-13) 1.0 Nov. 11, 1990 New York Giants (L, 7-31) 2.0 Nov. 18, 1990 Dallas Cowboys (L, 21-24) 1.0 Dec. 2, 1990 at Cleveland Browns (W, 38-23) 3.0 Dec. 9, 1990 New Orleans Saints (L, 20-24) 1.0 Dec. 17, 1990 San Francisco 49ers (L, 10-26) 2.0 Sept. 29, 1991 Green Bay Packers (W, 23-21) 1.0 Dec. 15, 1991 at Minnesota Vikings (L, 14-20) 1.0 Dec. 22, 1991 at Seattle Seahawks (L, 9-23) 1.0 Sept. 6, 1992 at Buffalo Bills (L, 7-40) 1.0 Sept. 13, 1992 New England Patriots (W, 14-0) 3.0 Sept. 27, 1992 Ne York Jets (W, 18-10) 1.0 Oct. 4, 1992 at San Francisco 49ers (L, 24-27) 1.0 Nov. 1, 1992 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 28-30) 2.0 Nov. 15, 1992 at Dallas Cowboys (W, 27-23) 1.0 Dec. 27, 1992 Atlanta Falcons (W, 38-27) 1.0 Sept. 27, 1993 at Atlanta Falcons (W, 45-17) 2.0 Oct. 17, 1993 New Orleans Saints (W, 37-14) 2.0 Oct. 24, 1993 at Cleveland Browns (L, 23-28) 0.5 Nov. 7, 1993 at Cincinnati Bengals (W, 24-16) 1.0 Nov. 15, 1993 Buffalo Bills (W, 23-0) 1.0 Nov. 21, 1993 at Denver Broncos (L, 13-37) 1.0 Dec. 13, 1993 at Miami Dolphins (W, 21-20) 1.0 Dec. 26, 1993 at Seattle Seahawks (L, 6-16) 3.0 Jan. 2, 1994 Cleveland Browns (W, 16-9) 1.0 Sept. 11, 1994 at Cleveland Browns (W, 17-10) 1.0 Sept. 18, 1994 Indianapolis Colts (W, 31-21) 2.0 Sept. 25, 1994 at Seattle Seahawks (L, 13-30) 1.0 Oct. 3, 1994 Houston Oilers (W, 30-14) 2.0 Nov. 6, 1994 at Houston Oilers (W, 12-9) 1.0 Nov. 14, 1994 Buffalo Bills (W, 23-10) 3.0 Nov. 27, 1994 at Los Angeles Raiders (W, 21-3) 2.0 Dec. 4, 1994 at Cincinnati Bengals (W, 38-15) 2.0 Sept. 10, 1995 at Houston Oilers (W, 34-17) 1.0 Sept. 18, 1995 at Miami Dolphins (L, 10-23) 1.0 Oct. 8, 1995 at Jacksonville Jaguars (L, 16-20) 2.5 Oct. 29, 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-7) 0.5 Nov. 19, 1995 at Cincinnati Bengals (W, 49-31) 1.0 Dec. 3, 1995 Houston Oilers (W, 21-7) 1.0 Dec. 16, 1995 New England Patriots (W, 41-27) 1.0 Dec. 24, 1995 at Green Bay Packers (L, 19-24) 1.0 Sept. 1, 1996 Atlanta Falcons (W, 29-6) 2.0
Kevin Greene, game by game sacks Sept. 29, 1996 at Jacksonville Jaguars (L, 14-24) 1.0 Oct. 6, 1996 at Minnesota Vikings (L, 12-14) 2.0 Oct. 13, 1996 St. Louis Rams (W, 45-13) 2.0 Nov. 3, 1996 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 17-20) 1.0 Nov. 17, 1996 at St. Louis Rams (W, 20-10) 2.5 Nov. 24, 1996 at Houston Oilers (W, 31-6) 1.0 Dec. 1, 1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 24-0) 1.0 Dec. 8, 1996 at San Francisco 49ers (W, 30-24) 1.0 Dec. 15, 1996 Baltimore Ravens (W, 27-16) 1.0 Oct. 19, 1997 at Atlanta Falcons (W, 35-28) 1.0 Nov. 2, 1997 Dallas Cowboys (W, 17-10) 1.0 Nov. 10, 1997 at Philadelphia Eagles (W, 24-12) 1.0 Nov. 16, 1997 Carolina Panthers (W, 27-19) 1.0 Nov. 23, 1997 San Diego Chargers (W, 17-10) 2.0 Dec. 7, 1997 Minnesota Vikings (W, 28-17) 1.5 Dec. 15, 1997 Denver Broncos (W, 34-17) 1.0 Dec. 21, 1997 at Seattle Seahawks (L, 9-38) 2.0 Sept. 6, 1998 Atlanta Falcons (L, 14-19) 3.0 Sept. 13, 1998 at New Orleans Saints (L, 14-19) 2.0 Sept. 27, 1998 Green Bay Packers (L, 30-37) 2.0 Oct. 4, 1998 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 23-51) 2.0 Oct. 11, 1998 at Dallas Cowboys (L, 20-27) 1.0 Oct. 18, 1998 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 13-16) 1.0 Nov. 1, 1998 New Orleans Saints (W, 31-17) 1.0 Nov. 8, 1998 at San Francisco 49ers (L, 23-25) 1.0 Nov. 22, 1998 at St. Louis Rams (W, 24-20) 1.0 Dec. 27, 1998 at Indianapolis Colts (W, 27-19) 1.0 Sept. 12, 1999 at New Orleans Saints (L, 10-19) 1.5 Oct. 17, 1999 at San Francisco 49ers (W, 31-29) 1.0 Oct. 31, 1999 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 20-27) 1.0 Nov. 7, 1999 Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-7) 2.0 Nov. 28, 1999 Atlanta Falcons (W, 34-28) 2.5 Dec. 12, 1999 at Green Bay Packers (W, 33-31) 2.0 Jan. 2, 2000 New Orleans Saints (W, 45-13) 2.0 Los Angeles Rams Pittsburgh Steelers Carolina Panthers San Francisco 49ers Career Total: 72.5 35.5 41.5 10.5 160.0