While the Pittsburgh Steelers are enduring a tough season, the fanbase finally received some long-awaited good news. After what feels like an eternity, former defensive end L.C. Greenwood has been named a finalist in the senior category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For Steelers fans, this recognition is overdue.
Greenwood has long been considered one of the Hall’s biggest snubs. Despite the abundance of legends from the 1970s Steelers dynasty, he never managed to break through the logjam and reach Canton. Now, he is closer than ever to earning football immortality.
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Drafted in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, few expected Greenwood to become the dominant force he turned into. Across 13 seasons, he earned two All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections.
Although sacks were not officially recorded during his era, Greenwood is credited with 78, more than fellow defensive line icon Mean Joe Greene.
That résumé alone is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Combine it with the dominance of the Steelers' defensive front during the 1970s and four Super Bowl titles, and Greenwood’s case becomes nearly undeniable.
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Unfortunately, he often gets labeled as merely “a good player on a great defense,” an unfair reduction of just how disruptive he was. While Earnie Holmes and Dwight White were strong players in their own right, neither consistently matched Greenwood's level of impact.
This year’s senior competition is strong. Ken Anderson, the longtime Bengals quarterback, and Roger Craig, the first running back to record 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a season, join him as senior finalists. Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick round out the coach and contributor categories.
From that group, a minimum of one and a maximum of three individuals can be selected for induction. All are deserving, but Greenwood feels like the final member of the Steelers dynasty still waiting for his rightful place.
Sadly, any honor will be posthumous, as Greenwood passed away in 2013 at just 67 years old.
While this Steelers season may be bleak, fans can find a sense of hope in Greenwood’s long-overdue recognition. Here’s to hoping he finally gets the call in 2026.