The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was revealed Thursday night at NFL Honors, and while the spotlight rightly shined on some all-time greats, one name was notably - and once again - absent: L.C. Greenwood.
It’s a familiar feeling for fans of the Steel Curtain. Greenwood, a cornerstone of that iconic Pittsburgh Steelers defense of the 1970s, was among the senior finalists this year. But when the final list was announced, it was Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, and not Greenwood, who got the call to Canton.
The class itself is stacked. Drew Brees, one of the most prolific passers the game has ever seen, is in.
Larry Fitzgerald, a model of consistency and class at wide receiver, joins him. Adam Vinatieri, the most clutch kicker in NFL history?
No-brainer. Luke Kuechly, a linebacker who played like he had the offensive playbook in his helmet, rounds out the modern-era selections alongside Craig, the do-it-all running back who helped redefine versatility in the backfield.
But Greenwood’s omission stings - again.
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here. L.C.
Greenwood wasn’t just a contributor on those dominant Steelers teams - he was a difference-maker. He racked up 78 career sacks (unofficial, since the stat wasn’t tracked during much of his career), earned six Pro Bowl nods, two All-Pro selections, and most importantly, helped Pittsburgh hoist four Lombardi Trophies.
That’s not just production - that’s legacy.
He was also named to the Hall of Fame’s All-1970s Team. That’s a list that includes players who’ve long been enshrined in Canton.
Greenwood’s presence there underscores just how respected and impactful he was during his era. His speed off the edge, ability to disrupt passing lanes with his long frame, and knack for showing up in big moments - just ask anyone who watched his performance in Super Bowl X - made him a nightmare for opposing offenses.
And yet, despite all that, he remains on the outside looking in.
Greenwood passed away in 2013 at the age of 67. Since then, there’s been a growing chorus calling for his induction.
Every year he’s left out, it becomes harder to explain why. The Hall of Fame is meant to tell the story of the NFL - and you can’t tell the story of the 1970s without the Steel Curtain.
You can’t tell the story of the Steel Curtain without L.C. Greenwood.
Also left out of this year’s class was Jahri Evans, the former Saints All-Pro guard and current Steelers assistant offensive line coach. Evans was a finalist in the modern-era category, and his time may still come. He was one of the best interior linemen of his generation, and his resume will keep him in the conversation.
But for Greenwood, the wait continues.
He’s not forgotten. Not by his teammates.
Not by Steelers fans. And certainly not by those who understand just how dominant that Pittsburgh defense truly was.
The hope now is that future Hall of Fame voters will recognize what so many already know: L.C. Greenwood belongs in Canton.