Still Curtain
FanSided

Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Greene, sends message to team before Week 12 win

By Noah Strackbein

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene No. 75 has his number retired during a ceremony with Steelers President Art Rooney ll (L) and Chairman Dan Rooney (R) during halftime against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on November 2, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene No. 75 has his number retired during a ceremony with Steelers President Art Rooney ll (L) and Chairman Dan Rooney (R) during halftime against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on November 2, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Pittsburgh Steelers legend, “Mean Joe” Greene, sent his team a very strong message prior to their Week 12 win over the Green Bay Packers.

On a night Greene and other Steelers greats were looking to have the spotlight for the inaugural Hall of Honor class in Pittsburgh, the Hall of Famer told his former team that it isn’t about one individual person.

Arguably the greatest defensive lineman to ever play football was always known to be an intimidating guy. Now, many years out of the league, Greene still found a way to hype up the Steelers before a game they probably needed a little motivation.

According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Greene told him exactly what he thought of the team prior to Sunday Night Football and the Hall of Honor ceremony.

"“Cut out the bull[crap],” said Greene. “Be serious because it’s about the team. It’s not about individuals. It’s about team. I’m not specifically talking about the defense. I’m talking about everybody who contributes.“We have a fantastic quarterback who in my view can do things no one else in the league can do. He can make the passes just like anyone else, or better. But none of them can stand in the pocket and take the heat that he takes and make the plays. He has the heart to play, but he has to believe in his team…that they feel the way he feels.“Football is a hard game, very tough, and you have to love it. If you don’t you can’t give your very best, and you can’t play. You have to love it. A good example of the grit about the Steelers is the run that Jerome made against Chicago in 2005. Every fiber of his body says Pittsburgh Steelers. If we do that, no one can stand in our way. But you have to believe in one another, not individuals.”"

Strong words for one of the greatest to play in black and gold. Luckily, this was just enough to push Pittsburgh past the Packers, and to their sixth straight win. Now, they’re hoping to carry this momentum for the rest of the season and keep the top of the AFC in sight.

Next: Early 2018 NFL Draft needs for the Steelers

It Pittsburgh is smart, they’d be focused in on every single word Greene had to say and made sure they took all of it to heart.

Home/Steelers News