If there is anyone who knows what it means to earn their spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it's Joe Greene.
Greene, the first player from the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, set a standard for play on the defensive line.
But he wasn't alone.
And he knows it.
And in his heart and mind, and what he feels should be in the minds of Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors, L.C. Greenwood should be alongside him in that honored spot in the Hall of Fame.
Greenwood, who was born in Canton, Mississippi, is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in the Seniors category, and Greene believes he should be immortalized in Canton, Ohio.
"In my view, when L.C. was playing, he was easily in the top three, four defensive ends that were playing during that time," said Greene. "And I'm talking about the guys that are already in the Hall of Fame. Deacon Jones, Carl Eller, Claude Humphrey, and Elvin Bethea.
"L.C. was a partner of mine on the line for 13 years and he was a wonderful teammate. When we were rookies, he played backup to the left defensive end and the right defensive end, Lloyd Voss and Ben McGee. He made such an impact, it forced the release and change of positions of the other two defensive ends. Lloyd Voss was waived. He was getting close to retirement. Ben McGee was moved to inside as a tackle. And L.C. became a full-time starter.
"With L.C. beside me, and us working together, we accomplished some pretty good things together. I emphasize together because our ability to communicate and work together on certain things and different times during games, we worked against different formations and knew what was happening. We would be on the same page through a look, a tap on the helmet or grab each others's face mask, and they meant different things. We never missed a call. Actually, the only call we missed was in the Super Bowl. That was when Chuck Foreman ran inside for 11 yards. And that was it. For that game they only got 19 yards. And it was on me because I didn't make the signal."
Greenwood was drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, the 238th overall pick out of Arkansas AM&N.
He went on to play 13 seasons for the Steelers, becoming a starter his third season, and was a key part of the Steelers four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.
Greenwood was a member of the Steel Curtain defense, along with Greene, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, that dominated opposing offenses.
Greene even credited Greenwood with some of his success.
"I would not have had nearly the success without L.C.," said Greene. "We were partners.
"L.C. helped me and Jack Ham immensely on that side. I could do things because I knew that L.C. could cover me. We had a lot of fun together. But we won a lot together. And he was a huge part of that."
Greenwood, who was known for his gold high top shoes, was a mountain of a man who played like a nimble linebacker.
"L.C. was about six-five and a half, maybe six-six, 238-240 pounds, and he could run a four-six forty," said Greene. "He ran by me many times to get to a play and places that I couldn't get to. L.C., at his size, weight, particularly his weight, most guys that size didn't play the way he did.
"L.C. had the ability, because of his length, he could get separation, he could get stalemates at the line of scrimmage against the bigger guys. And he was an adept, astute pass rusher. In our time together, L.C. was the number one sacker on the team. And he stayed that way for a long time, until as of late."
In Greenwood's first year as a starter in 1971 he had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks with 8.5 in 1973, followed by a career-high 11 sacks in 1974, both which were 14-game seasons. He finished his career with 73.5 sacks, a number that still ranks fifth all-time in Steelers history.
Greenwood also had 12.5 postseason sacks, which is tied for fifth all-time in the NFL for postseason sacks.
He was a two-time first team Associated Press All-Pro selection (1974, 1975) and a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1973-76, 1978-79). He was also a member of the Steelers All-Time Team, the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and was a member of the inaugural Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2017.
And now Greene wants nothing more for Greenwood, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 67, than to add to the list of honors.
Pro Football Hall of Famer.
"L.C. is a guy that is deserving of being in the Hall of Fame," said Greene. "He should have been in years ago. He would have loved to have been in.
"L.C. was fun to play with. He never complained about anything on the field. He was not a talker. He was a quiet, quiet player that did his job.
"I'm really happy that he is this close to getting in. He should be in the Hall of Fame. I want nothing more than to see it. I'm disappointed for him that if he gets in, he won't be able to experience this and smell the flowers."
