University of North Texas Athletics

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. 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. Greene was a consensus All-America 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.