Joe Greene was the number one draft pick for the Steelers in 1969. His twelve year career led him to become the cornerstone of the franchise, and he was selected twice as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
As the #1 draft pick for the '69 Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Greene became the cornerstone of the franchise that dominated the NFL in the '70s. During his twelve year career, he was twice selected as NFL Defensive Player of the Year ('72 & '74), made 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and played on 4 Super Bowl championship teams (IX, X, XIII, & XIV). Joe Greene may, however, be best known for tossing his jersey to a young fan in a '79 Coca-Cola commercial - a commercial selected as one of the most memorable TV ads of the century. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and since his retirement as a player, he has served as an assistant coach for the Steelers, the Dolphins, and the Cardinals.