Another pillar of the Steelers’ iconic Steel Curtain defense is inching closer to a long-overdue call from Canton.
L.C. Greenwood, the towering defensive end who helped anchor one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history, has been named a senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall’s Blue-Ribbon Committee, which evaluates candidates in the coach, contributor, and senior categories, advanced Greenwood as one of the finalists in the seniors group - a major step toward potential enshrinement in the Class of 2026.
For Steelers fans and longtime NFL observers, Greenwood’s name carries weight. He wasn’t just a cog in Pittsburgh’s 1970s dynasty - he was a force.
Drafted in the 10th round in 1969 out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Greenwood carved out a 13-season career that saw him play 170 games in black and gold. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time first-team All-Pro, and earned six Pro Bowl nods along the way.
And while sacks weren’t an official stat during his playing days, Greenwood’s impact was anything but invisible. He’s unofficially credited with 78 career sacks - a number that would place him among the franchise’s all-time leaders - along with 14 fumble recoveries.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Greenwood’s length, speed off the edge, and knack for showing up in big moments made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Just ask Roger Staubach, who saw plenty of Greenwood in Super Bowls X and XIII.
Greenwood passed away in 2013 at the age of 67 due to kidney failure, but his legacy in Pittsburgh - and the NFL at large - has never faded. His candidacy for the Hall has long been a topic of debate among fans and former players who believe his contributions to the game deserve a permanent place in Canton.
He’s not alone on the senior finalist list. Also under consideration are quarterback Ken Anderson, who led the Bengals for over a decade and won an NFL MVP, and Roger Craig, the versatile 49ers running back who made history as the first player to notch 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season - a feat that redefined the position.
In the contributor and coaching categories, two other big names have moved forward: Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former head coach Bill Belichick. Together, they helped build one of the most successful dynasties in league history, and their inclusion among the finalists adds even more weight to this year’s ballot.
Here’s how the selection process works: the Hall of Fame’s selection committee can vote for up to three of the five finalists. A maximum of three can be elected to the 2026 class.
But there’s a catch - each finalist needs at least 80% approval from the committee to make it in. If no one reaches that threshold, the finalist with the most support will still be elected.
For Greenwood, this is more than just a nomination - it’s a chance to finally get the recognition many believe he’s deserved for decades. He was a cornerstone of one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, a relentless pass rusher, and a leader on a team that set the standard for championship football.
Now, he’s one step away from football immortality.