SLIPPERY ROCK — Shamar Greene’s record-setting football career at Slippery Rock University was cut short.

His overall football career? Maybe not.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back from West Mifflin suffered a torn labrum in the second quarter of SRU’s game at California (Pa.), causing him to miss the final 6½ games of his senior season.

He is still graduating as The Rock’s all-time leading rusher with 4,275 yards, well ahead of runner-up Stan Kennedy’s 3,932 yards. Kennedy set the record 16 years ago.

“You always want to go somewhere hoping to leave a mark,” Greene said. “I’m proud to have that record, but I feel like I’m not through playing football yet.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to suit up for somebody next year.”

Greene has already spoken with former Mercyhurst running back Brandon Brown-Dukes, who received a tryout with the Steelers last summer and lasted all the way through the preseason schedule before being released.

“He just showed up at camp one day looking for a chance and they gave him one,” Greene said. “I’m planning to get an agent and seeing what options I have out there.

“My first priority, of course, is to play for the Steelers. That would be a dream come true.”

It may not be so far-fetched.

Brown-Dukes had just six carries for the Steelers in preseason, but looked good enough in training camp that the team eventually signed him to the practice squad.

Brown-Dukes is Mercyhurst’s all-time leading rusher with 3,803 yards. He caught 53 passes for 380 yards. Greene has 51 catches for 461 yards to go with his 4,275 yards rushing.

“You don’t want to look at Shamar’s size, his clocked time in the 40, anything like that,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “You want to get him on the field and watch him run.

“The guy has all of the intangibles — and he’s hungry to play. He runs with power and vision. Brown-Dukes was a productive back in this league) PSAC West). Shamar was better.”

Greene decided to forego surgery on his shoulder, opting instead for an intense rehab program. He has already been doing weight room workouts to strengthen the shoulder.

“After talking to the doctors, this was the way to go,” Greene said. “Surgery would have required months of recovery. They told me that, as an athlete suffering this injury for the first time, they recommended going the rehab route.”

Despite missing half of the season, Greene still ranks second among active Division II players in career yards rushing, trailing only Austin Ekeler (5,857 yards) of Western State.

His 4,275 yards rank 12th among all active NCAA running backs, all divisions, and he leaves The Rock as the PSAC’s 10th best back ever in career yardage.

“Productive. That’s the way to describe Shamar Greene,” Lutz said. “Even better than that, he’s a quality individual, a nice gentleman.

“While he was out of the lineup, he showed up at Slippery Rock Park to meet and help out with the youth football players in town. I mean, how many college athletes do that?”

Greene never hesitated.

“I loved meeting and talking with those kids,” he said. “They treated me like I was a superstar. I hope that in some way, I helped them.

“I remember when I was that age. I’ll keep on visiting the youth teams no matter where I’m at. It’s a way to make a positive impact on kids.”

Greene had 23 career 100-yard rushing games and scored 35 touchdowns at SRU. He ranks sixth all-time in career TDs at The Rock and second in career carries with 732, trailing only Rick Magulick’s 756.

“I’m not done yet,” Greene declared. “The NFL, the Canadian league, arena football, I’ll do anything. I’ll wear anyone’s uniform who will have me.

“My football career’s not over yet ... not like this.”