Hall of Fame
Considered not only the greatest player in North Texas history, “Mean” Joe Greene is also considered the greatest defensive tackle in the history of football, and he’s the first alum of North Texas to be inducted into the MVC Hall of Fame. North Texas was a league member for 19 years (from 1957-75). Greene, a three-time Missouri Valley All-Conference player, anchored a defensive line at North Texas that allowed opponents just two yards per rushing attempt from 1966 to 1968, helping North Texas to a 23-5-1 record during that span. Greene was a consensus All-American in 1968.
In 1969, Greene became the first North Texas player to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he quickly became the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1969 on his way to 10 All-Pro selections, five first-team All-Pro honors, and four Super Bowl championships. Greene was also the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974.
His No. 75 has been retired by both the Pittsburgh Steelers and by North Texas. Greene is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.