NFL FILE: Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers shut down a vile rumor that was spreading on social media that franchise legend and Hall of Famer Joe Greene had died at 79. The team told TMZ that the report is not accurate.
Longtime NFL reporter John McClain also confirmed that Greene is very much alive.
“Fortunately, Joe Greene has NOT died. I got that from his family. That report was fake news. Joe is doing great!!!” McClain wrote on X.
Fortunately, Joe Greene has NOT died. I got that from his family. That report was fake news. Joe is doing great!!!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 20, 2026
McClain added that there needs to be repercussions for these false rumors, which have been becoming more common on social media, especially on Facebook. Facebook certainly needs to do a better job of detecting false rumors and removing them. Also for fans, don’t believe everything you see on the internet.
“There should be some kind of repercussions for false reports like Joe Greene has died. It’s should be against the law. It’s terrible for family, friends and fans. Joe is alive and kicking!” McClain wrote.
There should be some kind of repercussions for false reports like Joe Greene has died. It’s should be against the law. It’s terrible for family, friends and fans. Joe is alive and kicking!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 20, 2026
Greene, who was the Steelers’ first-round pick at No. 4 overall in 1969, is universally considered the greatest Steelers player of all-time. The turning point of the franchise started with him.
Greene was the first pick with Chuck Noll as the team’s head coach. Noll and Greene helped turn the Steelers into the greatest dynasty in NFL history, winning four Super Bowls.
Individually, Greene was the team’s most decorated player. He was NFL Defensive Rookie of the year in 1969, Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974 and Man of the Year in 1979.
Greene was a 10-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time All-Pro selection, and part of the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team, 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.
He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 and in 2014, he became the second Steelers player to have his jersey number officially retired. Only three players in Steelers history have had their jersey number retired — Ernie Stautner, Greene and Franco Harris.
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