Mean Joe Greene retires from front office post with Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, May 7 (UPI) -- Mean Joe Greene, the man many fans believe to be the Pittsburgh Steeler's best player ever, has retired as special assistant to the team's general manager.

The Steelers announced the change Monday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Greene, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Steelers for 13 years, has been Kevin Colbert's special assistant for pro and college personnel for seven years and earlier served as a defensive line coach.

In a statement, Greene paid tribute to Chuck Noll, the coach who brought him to the Steelers in 1969 after a stellar career at North Texas State, and Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney and his family.

"I was very fortunate to have worked for the Steelers, the Rooneys and Chuck," Greene said. "I know without a doubt the reason I got a job with Pittsburgh for coaching was because of Chuck. He trusted me as a guy who hadn't coached before and he thought I had the wherewithal to do it. I think he was right, I know he was right. The Steelers have influenced everything I've done as an adult."

Greene is a member of the Pro and College football halls of fame. He was named the team's best player of all time in a fan poll and Rooney has described him as the most important player in Steelers' history.