Former Auburn football star Kevin Greene died on Monday at the age of 58. Ex-Tigers joined the NFL community to mourn the 15-year NFL veteran.
As I traverse through my journey back from the Plains to the Capital Region in upstate, New York, a man that once made the same trek to Jordan-Hare Stadium from the 518 and former Auburn football star, Kevin Greene, was announced dead at the age of 58 on Monday afternoon.
Ex-Tigers such as Willie Anderson and Carl Lawson chimed in on the loss of a former fellow defensive stud on the Plains:
R.I.P Kevin Green. I was just saying “ this man needs a statue at Auburn! @AuburnFootball I’m in tears man .
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 21, 2020
That game was for you KG. 🙏🏾Rest easy Shifu #BeatSteelers
— carl lawson (@carllawson55) December 22, 2020
They were joined by several of their NFL contemporaries who lacked the Auburn connection, but certainly didn’t lack the love for the former First-Team All-Pro linebacker:
We lost a legend in Kevin Greene. He was a HOF player and even better person. His passion for football and life exuded in everything he did. His spirit will live forever. Condolences to Tara and the entire Greene family. Heaven just got better on Defense. Love that man.
— Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS) December 22, 2020
Kevin Greene was a true warrior and a dear friend!!! As much as I disliked playing against him I loved everything about him at the same time and I loved him like a brother. Gods army just got much stronger 🙏 RIP brother
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) December 21, 2020
Having played against Kevin Greene and respected him fully for his competitiveness and skill, i offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to his family and all of #SteelersNation 🙏🏾.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 21, 2020
Greene was a mighty man who achieved plenty on the gridiron, including NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996, five Pro Bowl rosters and a 3x First Team All-Pro. He was aspirational beyond his play too, believing a good work ethic trumps all:
"“I wasn’t the biggest [and] I wasn’t fastest,” Greene once said. “But as long as you have a motor, you have heart … that will overcome any physical limitations.”"
The Auburn family lost a great man and one of the all-time great alumni in the NFL.
RIP Kevin Greene.