Steelers' retirement of Joe Greene's jersey Sunday special for all

[stillers4me]

In truth, No. 75 was retired 32 years ago when Joe Greene hung it up for the final time. No one has worn it since. The big ceremony had to wait until Sunday night before thousands at Heinz Field when the Steelers make it an official retirement for that sacred jersey number.

Only one man attended when No. 75 was first issued to Joe Greene 45 years ago. The day big ol’ defensive lineman Ken Kortas was cut before the start of the 1969 season, equipment manager Tony Parisi swapped out numbers. He removed the No. 72 rookie Joe Greene wore in the preseason and replaced it with the No. 75 he wore in high school and college.

“That was his number,” says Parisi, now 81. “I was going to give him that number. As soon as Ken Kortas got cut, I put it in his locker.”..............

read more @ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/10/28/Steelers-retirement-of-Joe-Greene-s-jersey-Sunday-special-for-all/stories/201410280212

[86WARD]

They gotta win that night!!

[tube517]

I know the local sports affiliate probably shows the whole ceremony because I never see the networks show the whole thing. Is there anyway to see this besides being @Heinz Field?

NBC will probably have a company wide jackoff for halftime highlights of Marsha vs Peyton's game.

[Crow-Magnon]

How does Mean Joe still have a jersey? I thought he traded it to some kid for a Coke! :rockon:

Seriously...why so long a wait? It's not like he was a borderline HOF'er. Is that a standard practice in Pittsburgh, or was Mean Joe just looked over for some reason for so long?

[tube517]

How does Mean Joe still have a jersey? I thought he traded it to some kid for a Coke! :rockon:

Seriously...why so long a wait? It's not like he was a borderline HOF'er. Is that a standard practice in Pittsburgh, or was Mean Joe just looked over for some reason for so long?

Steelers have only retired one other jersey in their history. It's not a common practice like in other organizations. (Basically, there are too many for consideration) Mean Joe is only the 2nd in franchise history to have his number retired.


http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/07/30/Steelers-to-retire-Joe-Greene-s-No-75/stories/201407300175



“That was the hesitation for a long time,” Art Rooney said. “If we started down this road, where do we stop? Are there enough numbers to go around for all the guys who deserve to maybe have their numbers retired? The decision we made was we’ll make the decisions one at a time and not decide about any other jerseys at this point.”

[Mamaduck43]

I am so excited - - when I started accumulating Jerseys, that was the first one I got, and it hangs on a wall in my apartment.... I can just imagine what would happen if we started retiring the numbers of Steelers who would be worthy of that honor - - I don't think the NFL would look kindly on having to issue 3 digit player numbers because we wouldn't have many left.... But Joe Greene is truly worthy of the honor, and I am glad that he will be there to get the praise and adulation at the game on Sunday... And it can't hurt that the intimidation factor will be floating over Heinz Field at a little bit higher level at the game.... I can't wait......

[Lady Steel]

Thought I would share this info with those who are interested. :)


From Burt Lauten:
The Joe Greene jersey retirement unveiling ceremony at 5:30 pm ET will be broadcast live on Steelers.com (http://steelers.com/) in its entirety.

[Dwinsgames]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10408753_10152886837659905_8470154923698573337_n.j pg?oh=ac740e00de5cd1a477d6b73bc2a90c2c&oe=54DF4D68&__gda__=1424113022_800d28bc15d14559431fb7036918ee7 0

[tube517]

I know the local sports affiliate probably shows the whole ceremony because I never see the networks show the whole thing. Is there anyway to see this besides being @Heinz Field?

NBC will probably have a company wide jackoff for halftime highlights of Marsha vs Peyton's game.

Like I was saying... :coffee: