Legendary Steelers Great One Step Away From Pro Football Hall Of Fame

PITTSBURGH, PA — An iconic member of the Steelers who helped the team win four championships is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist.

He is one of five people who have reached the finalist stage across three categories for possible election to the Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.

Former players L.C. Greenwood, Ken Anderson and Roger Craig are joined by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the contributor category and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick in the coaching category.

Greenwood, a member of the famous “Steel Curtain” defensive units in the 1970s, played his entire 170-game career over 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Drafted in the 10th round (pick 238 overall) in the 1969 NFL Draft out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Greenwood won four Super Bowl rings, was named a first-team All-Pro defensive end twice and
was selected to play in six Pro Bowls. He was credited with 78 sacks (an unofficial stat during his playing career) and 14 fumble recoveries.

In 2013, Greenwood died of kidney failure at UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland at the age of 67.

The remaining bar to clear for him to enter the Hall of Fame : approval from at least 80% of
the members of the full Selection Committee at their annual meeting next year in advance of the class unveiling during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco.

For the second year, the finalists from the player, contributor and coaching categories are competing directly against each other under bylaws the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors approved in 2024. The revision to the process helps ensure the exclusivity of inclusion in the game’s most elite fraternity.

Each member of the Selection Committee may vote for only three of the five finalists. With the bylaws revision, a maximum of three of this year’s finalists can be elected. If none of the five individuals receives 80 percent approval, then the person who receives the most support
would be elected to the Class of 2026.