Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson shared a humorous “Mean” Joe Greene story during a recent appearance on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast.
To say the least, Greene struck fear in Woodson.
“It was my second year in the league. We used to have Friday practices at noon. I go out with my so-called girlfriend. Obviously, there’s no cell phones. We just got landlines right. She takes my landline phone off the hook. She hits my alarm. I don’t hear anything. I hear a knock at the door. It’s 12:05 [p.m.], who is it? Mean Joe Greene. All it was was a bam, bam, bam! I opened the door, he said, ‘Get your mother f’n bleep, bleep down to Three Rivers. And I’m like, ‘Oh freak! The girlfriend, she’s gone. You’re out. I’m not getting in trouble for this stuff.
“I remember going in there, seeing Chuck Noll. Chuck was like what happened? I’m like, Coach, you’re not going to believe this. I had a dog. My dog got out. I don’t know if it was my dog or girlfriend who unplugged the phone. And then he looked at me and said, ‘I don’t know if you’re being honest or lying. Don’t you ever be late again.’ I was like, yes sir. And I was never late again.”
After his legendary career with the Steelers, Greene served as the defensive line coach with the Steelers from 1987-91. Woodson was the Steelers’ first-round pick in 1987.
In 2024, Marcus Mosher of the 33rd Team ranked Woodson as the second-best corner of all-time, behind just Deion Sanders.
“Rod Woodson played 12 years at cornerback (1987-1998) before switching to safety. He played five years as a free safety, making four Pro Bowls and leading the league in interceptions twice. However, we are only judging his cornerback play for this list. And yet, he comes in at No. 2,” Mosher wrote.
“Woodson made five All-Pro teams at cornerback and was one of the most complete defensive backs in NFL history. He created takeaways, shut down top receivers, and made plays in the run game. Woodson did not have a weakness, and that’s why you can make a strong case he is the best defensive back in NFL history.”
Mosher is spot-on that Woodson didn’t have a weakness. He’s arguably the greatest pure athlete to ever play for the Steelers. He was an incredible kick and punt returner also. In his 17-year career, Woodson recorded 71 interceptions; 1,483 interception return yards; 2,362 punt return yards; and 17 touchdowns.
Woodson, a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team, was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times; a record for a defensive back and in 1994 was one of only five active players to be named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team. Theothers were Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Reggie White and Ronnie Lott, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Woodson left the Steelers following the 1996 season after a contract dispute. He spent one season...
