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L.C. Greenwood , a three-year defensive
line star and
1968 Ebony All-America at Arkansas AM&N, joined the Pittsburgh
Steelers as a 10th-round draft choice and the 238th player selected in the
1969 NFL Draft. The 6-6, 245-pound Greenwood served as a fifth defensive
lineman his first two seasons before becoming firmly entrenched as the
Steelers’ regular defensive left end in 1971. That year he led the team in
sacks (8.5) and shared the NFL lead in fumble recoveries (5). For the next
11 seasons, Greenwood teamed with Joe Greene at left tackle to provide the
Steelers’ famed "Steel Curtain" defensive unit with awesome strength on the
left side of the front line. The "Steel Curtain" formed the heart of a
legendary defense that led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl victories and seven
division titles.
Greenwood, who was born September 8, 1946, in Canton, Mississippi, became
widely respected for his consistency and his knack of avoiding major
career-threatening injuries. A knee injury did cause him to miss five games
in 1977 but Greenwood rebounded with one of his finest seasons in 1978. He
possessed exceptional quickness and speed and he used his height to bat down
passes or forced opposition passers to rush their throws. Noted for his
reckless, freewheeling style as a pass rusher, Greenwood amassed 73.5 sacks
(unofficial) in 13 seasons. Six times he led his team in that defensive
category. He also recorded 14 career opponents’ fumble recoveries.
Greenwood was the Steelers’ starting defensive left end in six AFC
championship games and Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV. In Super Bowl IX,
he played a major role in Pittsburgh’s 16-6 victory over Minnesota by
batting down three of Fran Tarkenton’s passes. In Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl X
win over the Dallas Cowboys the next year, Greenwood sacked Roger Staubach
three times. In 1991, he was named to the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary
Team. Greenwood was named All-Pro in 1974 and 1975 and All-AFC five times
and appeared in six Pro Bowls in a seven-year stretch from 1973-1979.
LC Greenwood, 59, has been a director of the Company since November 2002 and
serves on our Compensation Committee and on our Nominating Committee. Mr.
Greenwood was born in Canton Mississippi, went to Roger High in Canton and
was granted an Academic Athletic Scholarship to Arkansas AM & N in Pine
Bluff, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. After college Mr.
Greenwood played thirteen years as a Defensive End with the World Champion
Pittsburgh Steelers, won four Super Bowls, was named a member of every All
Pro Team during the 1970s, was also All Pro seven times, and played in six
Pro Bowls. Today Mr. Greenwood is President of Greenwood Enterprises, a coal
and natural gas marketing company; Greenwood/McDonald Supply Co., an
electrical supply company; and President/Owner of Greenwood Manufacturing
Co., a manufacturer and distributor of packing products. Among Mr.
Greenwood's awards are the Worthen Sport Award, Professional Athlete of the
Year in Little Rock, Arkansas, Outstanding Achievement Award, Canton,
Mississippi, 1975, Key to the City of Canton, MS and to the State of
Mississippi, Key to the State of West Virginia, 25th Anniversary Super Bowl
Team, 100 Year Black College All American Team, Arkansas Hall of Fame, and
member of the 75th Silver Anniversary Super Bowl Team. In 1975 March 24th
was declared "LC Greenwood Day" in Canton, Mississippi. Mr. Greenwood is a
Life Member of the N.A.A.C.P. and a Member of AFTRA-American Federation of
Television and Radio Artist.
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