Kevin Greene reflects on Jackie Slater, Bo Jackson in rousing dialogue
Kevin Greene delivered a captivating, enthralling speech upon taking the podium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday.
Greene ranks third on the NFL's all-time sack list with 160, trailing only Bruce Smith and Reggie White. The five-time Pro Bowler spent his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Dom Capers, who coached Greene as the defensive coordinator with the Steelers, and as the head coach of the Panthers, presented the linebacker.
Before taking the stage, Greene was rendered sufficiently impressed by his gold bust.
Greene noted that it was fitting for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame following Brett Favre, a quarterback he spent his career chasing after.
"Brett Favre is (Hall of Fame inductee) No. 298 and I'm No. 299. Isn't it cool that I'm beside Brett Favre for eternity? Right where a linebacker needs to be."
Greene professed his profound admiration for former Rams teammate and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater, who he practiced against from 1985-92.
"That man would carry a Bible in one hand and a switchblade in the other," Greene said of Slater.
Greene also paid homage to his former Auburn teammate Bo Jackson.
"Bo, he ran my ass over. I've got a peace about it, because he ran a lot of asses over."
Greene also spent a significant portion of his speech honoring military personnel.