Mean Joe Greene lived up to his nickname during his 13-year National Football League career with the Steelers. As a tackle, he was the leader of the Steel Curtain defense, and he fought, punched and willed the Steelers into a championship team the rest of the league had to respect.

On Sunday night, Mean Joe Greene cried.

Now graying and known as “Papa Joe” to his seven grandchildren, the 68-year-old Steelers legend who wore the uniform number 75 became the second player in franchise history to have his jersey retired and the first from the teams of the Super ’70s.

Mr. Greene joined Ernie Stautner, whose No. 70 jersey was retired 50 years ago.

In a ceremony in FedEx Hall inside Heinz Field three hours before the Steelers-Ravens game, team president Art Rooney II unveiled the jersey that now resides next to Mr. Stautner’s in the hall.

“I thought my knees got weak when Dan and Art told me they wanted to retire my number,” Mr. Greene said. “This is completely overwhelming. I can’t say how happy I am to be placed in this awesome category with Ernie. I saw Ernie for many years coach the Dallas Cowboys and I also had the privilege to be there when he [died]. He was the first Mr. Steeler and I am so happy to be in his category.”

At that point, Mr. Greene broke down. The emotions caught up to him.

“I was just thinking about the journey, how special it has been for me, how blessed I’ve been to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Mr. Greene said later. “Initially, I was hesitant about being a Steeler because of the history. Prior to me being a Steeler, we won two out of 14 games. My first year, we won one out of 14. We didn’t start very well. Thanks to the leadership of the Rooneys and Chuck Noll, that all changed.”

When Mr. Greene was honored on the field at halftime, he once again wiped tears away when Mr. Rooney introduced him to the crowd. Throughout his speech to the sellout crowd Mr. Greene heard the chant “Mean Joe, Mean Joe.”

Mr. Greene was joined by Steelers from all points in his journey. Art Rooney, Jr., who was the head of the Steelers personnel department in 1969 when Mr. Greene was drafted, joined his brother, Dan, the team chairman, for the ceremony. General manager Kevin Colbert, who worked with Mr. Greene for nine years in the scouting department, was there. Many of Mr. Greene’s teammates came out to support him, including fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers Franco Harris, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Mel Blount.

“He really was the bedrock, the foundation of our ’70s team,” Mr. Harris said. “To have this recognition today is so wonderful. I’m so happy to be able to celebrate this with Joe and to honor him for everything he has contributed to the great city and the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Mr. Greene’s emotions also flowed because of those who were not there to celebrate with him. Mr. Greene is the last surviving member of the iconic Steel Curtain that also included Dwight White, Ernie Holmes and L.C. Greenwood. Mr. White and Mr. Holmes died five months apart in 2008. Mr. Greenwood died last year.

Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, the man who drafted Mr. Greene and later hired him to coach alongside him, died in June.

“Chuck, Dwight and Ernie and L.C … we had a bond,” Mr. Greene said. “We had a friendship. We had camaraderie, and we had the dedication to be the very best we could be each and every time we went out. Did we always accomplish that? No, but I tell you we got close a lot of times.

“There are not many days that go by that I don’t think about Chuck. And that was when he was with us. And there are not many days that go by when I don’t think about L.C., Dwight and Ernie. Those were special relationships individually and as a group. We would talk all the time, probably more so in retirement than when we played. It was indeed special.”

Mr. Greene played for the Steelers from 1969 until 1981. He finished his career with 66 sacks. Only Mr. Greenwood and Jason Gildon recorded more sacks as Steelers. Mr. Greene also recovered 16 fumbles.

Mr. Greene’s durability was legendary, too. He almost never missed a game. He played 91 consecutive games to start his career before getting injured in 1975. He played in 181 of a possible 190 games during his 13-year career. In addition to his 10 Pro Bowls, he was NFL defensive player of the year in 1972 and 1974 and was named first-team All-Pro five times. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

He served as the team’s defensive line coach from 1987-91 and later served as a team scout from 2004 until 2012.

“I am not aware of very many guys who played, coached and then became personnel men,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “We are awfully proud of him.”

Mr. Greene was asked what he wanted fans to think of when they heard the name Joe Greene.

“I want them to think Joe Greene was part of a fantastic football team from the ’70s that probably set the tone and tempo for history for the Pittsburgh Steelers, to help create the most dynamic and fantastic football city in the world.”

SEE: More photos from the ceremony honoring Joe Greene

Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.

First Published November 3, 2014, 12:00am