Ex-Packers assistant, Hall of Famer Greene dies
Kevin Greene, a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and key component of the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff on the 2010 Super Bowl championship team, has died at the age of 58.
No cause of death has been provided.
“The Packers were saddened today to learn of Kevin Greene’s passing,” Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. “He was a great coach for us and was instrumental in our team’s Super Bowl championship season. He had so much energy and passion. Our players loved playing for him.”
Greene, largely remembered for his decorated 15-year playing career that lasted from 1985-99, was outside linebackers coach for the Packers from 2009 to 2013 and then briefly again for the New York Jets in 2017-18. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, the same year as Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
Greene’s star pupil in Green Bay was Clay Matthews, who became an instant impact talent and eventually made six Pro Bowls with the Packers after Green Bay selected him out of USC in 2009.
In one of his most famous moments, the high-energy Greene was caught on camera telling Matthews, “It is time,” during a break in Super Bowl XLV. Matthews then caused a fumble that played a huge role in the victory over Greene’s former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Greene surprisingly walked away from coaching in January of 2014, saying at the time he wanted to spend more time with his two children, Gavin and Gabrielle, as well as wife Tara.
Greene had served in a number of coaching internships but wasn’t ready to devote all his energy to a full-time job until he called Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, his former head coach in Carolina, seeking a position.
His 160 sacks were the most by a linebacker in NFL history and third most ever behind Bruce Smith and Reggie White.
Seven picked for Pro Bowl
Za’Darius Smith, snubbed no longer. The outside linebacker and six additional Green Bay Packers players have been named to the 2021 Pro Bowl roster, the league announced Monday. Wide receiver Davante Adams, cornerback Jaire Alexander, tackle David Bakhtiari, guard Elgton Jenkins, running back Aaron Jones and quarterback Aaron Rodgers comprise the Packers’ representation.
Six of the seven were named starters (all except Jones), which is the most the Packers have had since 1967, when they had eight.
The Chiefs, Ravens and Seahawks also shared the league with seven selections. Adams has been selected to four straight Pro Bowls (2017-20) and is only the second Packers receiver to do so – James Lofton made six in a row (198085). Rodgers’ selection marks his ninth (2009, 2011-12, 2014-16, 2018-20), which ties quarterback Brett Favre and tackle Forrest Gregg for the most Pro Bowl selections in franchise history.
Bakhtiari will make his third trip and his second straight as an original selection. Smith, who has 111⁄2 sacks, will make his second appearance, his first original selection, after he played last season as an alternate. Jones, Jenkins and Alexander earned the first selections of their careers.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the game will not be played. In its place, the NFL is working with EA Sports for a week of programming, including a virtual Pro Bowl game with 2021 Pro Bowl players playing Madden.