Image

1:36 AM / Saturday February 8, 2025

8 Oct 2013

L.C. Greenwood of Pittsburgh’s ‘Steel Curtain’ dies at 67

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
October 8, 2013 Category: Sports Posted by:

ABOVE PHOTO: L.C. Greenwood

 

eurweb.com

 

L.C. Greenwood, the unrelenting defensive end who made up one quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s, has died. He was 67.

 

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said Greenwood died Sunday from undisclosed causes just before noon at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

 

A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Greenwood played for the Steelers from 1969-81, helping Pittsburgh win an unprecedented four Super Bowls in a six-year span. Greenwood, Joe Greene, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White formed the bedrock of the defense that helped turn a perennial loser into a dynasty.

 

“L.C. was one of the most beloved Steelers during the most successful period in team history and he will be missed by the entire organization,” Chairman Dan Rooney said in a statement. “He will forever be remembered for what he meant to the Steelers both on and off the field.”

 

Greenwood was taken in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL draft – nine rounds after Greene – out of Arkansas A&M (now Arkansas Pine-Bluff). He blossomed into a tenacious pass rusher who used his superior speed to blow past offensive tackles and into the backfield. Though sacks did not become an official statistic until after his retirement, Greenwood posted 73 1/2 during his 13-year career.

 

Greenwood thrived in the postseason. He sacked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach four times in the 1976 Super Bowl, a 21-17 Pittsburgh victory.

 

Unlike the quiet Holmes, the intimidating White and the unparalleled Greene, Greenwood was a showman. While recovering from an ankle injury during the 1973 season, Greenwood wore a pair of high top cleats that a friend painted gold. He wore them twice – both Steelers wins – and went back to his usual cleats after the ankle healed. The Steelers lost the ensuing game, and the gold cleats soon returned.

 

Knee problems forced Greenwood to retire before the 1982 season. His 13 years in Pittsburgh are tied for the third-longest tenure with the team in franchise history. Greenwood remained in Pittsburgh after his retirement, working as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker.

 

Despite support from his teammates – including Greene – Greenwood has not been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a finalist six times, the last coming in 2006.

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Color Of Money

Campaign for Working Families and Food Bank for New York City announce partnership to expand free tax assistance across NYC

February 3, 2025

Share Tweet Email The goals are to improve access and equity, as well as to reduce poverty....

Seniors

How Type 2 inflammation contributes to asthma, COPD, and allergic conditions

February 3, 2025

Share Tweet Email BPT Do you live with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma, COPD, allergies, eczema or hives? Inflammation...

Home and Garden

PHS Philadelphia Flower Show shares first glimpse of 2025’s ‘Gardens of Tomorrow’

January 20, 2025

Share Tweet Email The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) hosted a press conference on January 16 at the...

Week In Review

Auschwitz survivors warn of rising hatred on the 80th anniversary of the death camp’s liberation

February 2, 2025

Share Tweet Email Canadian Holocaust survivor Miriam Ziegler holds up a photo of her (circled) as as...

Sports

The Rematch

January 27, 2025

Share Tweet Email The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to New Orleans for a rematch with the Kansas...

Health

Expert tips from a dietitian: Three keys to staying healthy on GLP-1s

February 3, 2025

Share Tweet Email BPT By Satya Jonnalagadda, PhD, MBA, RDN With obesity rates tripling over the past...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff