THEN & NOW: “Mean Joe” Greene
- 2010/02/05 18:50:18
- Read all 1 opinions
1979:
“He’s tough and mean and comes to hit people,” a professional scout
once claimed of Charles Edward Greene, who played for the Pittsburgh
Steelers under a more fearsome moniker. And it was once very true. This
was the man who threatened to stomp Dick Butkus’ butt — to his face —
and solidified his squad’s intimidating “Steel Curtain” defensive line.
But television viewers saw #75’s softer side in ’79, when he enjoyed a
Coke and a smile and threw his jersey to nine-year-old Tommy Okon.
Greene had plenty of reasons to be happy that season as his Steelers
cruised to their — and his — fourth Super Bowl victory. He also learned
that things do
go better with Coke, when his ad won a coveted Clio advertising award.
The terror of Three Rivers Stadium retired in 1981 after 13 years,
still seeking ring #5.
“He’s tough and mean and comes to hit people,” a professional scout
once claimed of Charles Edward Greene, who played for the Pittsburgh
Steelers under a more fearsome moniker. And it was once very true. This
was the man who threatened to stomp Dick Butkus’ butt — to his face —
and solidified his squad’s intimidating “Steel Curtain” defensive line.
But television viewers saw #75’s softer side in ’79, when he enjoyed a
Coke and a smile and threw his jersey to nine-year-old Tommy Okon.
Greene had plenty of reasons to be happy that season as his Steelers
cruised to their — and his — fourth Super Bowl victory. He also learned
that things do
go better with Coke, when his ad won a coveted Clio advertising award.
The terror of Three Rivers Stadium retired in 1981 after 13 years,
still seeking ring #5.
2010:
Joe left the Steelers but stayed with football, serving in various
coaching capacities before returning to his old team in 2004. Two years
later, the special assistant for player personnel watched them finally
claim their fifth Bowl. Last year, during Pittsburgh’s sixth ring-grab,
the Coca-Cola Company saluted Greene’s now-classic promo with a Coke
Zero spot featuring Steeler safety Troy Polamalu. In November, Iron
City was treated to a reunion of the original commercial’s cast when
Joe and Tommy Okon met at Heinz Field to collect the Clios they’d been
awarded some 30 years earlier. (No word on whether trophies were
tossed.) Although Pittsburgh won’t be playing this Super Bowl Sunday —
that distinction goes to the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis
Colts — the not-so-mean Greene will appear in a public service
announcement for the American Urological Association, raising awareness
for prostate cancer.
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Joe left the Steelers but stayed with football, serving in various
coaching capacities before returning to his old team in 2004. Two years
later, the special assistant for player personnel watched them finally
claim their fifth Bowl. Last year, during Pittsburgh’s sixth ring-grab,
the Coca-Cola Company saluted Greene’s now-classic promo with a Coke
Zero spot featuring Steeler safety Troy Polamalu. In November, Iron
City was treated to a reunion of the original commercial’s cast when
Joe and Tommy Okon met at Heinz Field to collect the Clios they’d been
awarded some 30 years earlier. (No word on whether trophies were
tossed.) Although Pittsburgh won’t be playing this Super Bowl Sunday —
that distinction goes to the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis
Colts — the not-so-mean Greene will appear in a public service
announcement for the American Urological Association, raising awareness
for prostate cancer.
Check Out These Polls:
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- Sarge 2010/02/07 04:30:51
Thanks for the Then/Now moment. Glad to see him doing something postive with a PSA.reply
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