Kevin Greene, one of the more recognizable and popular players of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ renaissance in the 1990s, died at age 58.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame was among those announcing the death of the Hall of Fame outside linebacker who spent three of his 15 NFL seasons as part of a feared Steelers defense from 1993-95.

Easy to spot because of the long blonde hair flowing out of the back of his helmet, Greene combined with Greg Lloyd to form one the NFL’s most dominant pass-rushing duos of that era. Two of Greene’s five Pro Bowl honors and one of his two All-Pro nods came with the Steelers, who advanced to Super Bowl XXX during his final season with the team.

“We lost an amazing player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement released by the team. “His sudden death is a shock to us all as he was a close friend and teammate to so many people in the Steelers family.”

A cause of death was not immediately reported.

A big personality with an even bigger heart.

Rest in peace to @ProFootballHOF linebacker Kevin Greene. ? pic.twitter.com/STVFeXIARL

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 21, 2020

Though Greene also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, he often identified with the Steelers and was a regular at team alumni events. He was part of the franchise’s initial Hall of Honor class in 2017, a year after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Steelers signed Greene during the first offseason of modern free agency in the NFL. He remains one of the organization’s marquee acquisitions over the 27 years of unrestricted free agency. Greene’s 351⁄2 sacks in those three seasons rank 11th in Steelers history.

“When Kevin came to the Steelers in 1993, he had an immediate impact,” Rooney’s statement continued. “Paired with Greg Lloyd, Kevin and Greg led a defense that became known as Blitzburgh and went on to play in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin’s energy and enthusiasm were inspiring for our team as well as our fans.

“My condolences go out to Kevin’s wife, Tara, their children and the entire Greene family in this most difficult time. They will always be members of the Steelers family and in our thoughts and prayers.”

Former #Steelers LB Kevin Greene adds to franchise's list of HOFers, writes @RalphPaulk_Trib https://t.co/IVg3p66V7S pic.twitter.com/eVjtK0Wqkk

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 7, 2016

Greene’s 160 sacks trail only Bruce Smith and Reggie White in NFL history since the statistic became official in 1982. A member of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1990s, Greene became an assistant coach in the NFL after getting his first look at the profession as an intern during the 2008 Steelers training camp.

Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward was among those who reacted to Greene’s death via social media.

“So sad to hear the news of Kevin Greene passing away,” read a message posted to the verified Twitter account of Heyward. “I only had a couple of interactions with him, but when we did talk he always spoke with great energy and passion. May he be at peace and his family stay strong.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker issued a statement offering condolences to Greene’s family and saying the Hall of Fame’s flag would be flown at half-staff in Greene’s memory.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Baker said. “I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man.”

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