Mention the 1969 NFL Draft to a knowledgeable Steelers fan and they’ll first think of Joe Greene, the franchise’s first draft pick in the Chuck Noll era.

But in that same class, Pittsburgh landed another defensive lineman who would make life miserable for opposing offenses for over a decade.

L.C. Greenwood, a four-time Super Bowl champion, six-time Pro Bowl selection and member of the 1970s All-Decade Team at defensive end, died earlier this week at the age of 67.

Greenwood had excellent speed for a player his size and often overwhelmed offensive tackles with his 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame. He became a starter in his third season and went on to become one-fourth of Pittsburgh’s famed Steel Curtain front four, which included fellow end Dwight White and tackles Ernie Holmes and Greene.

Greenwood, who held the Steelers’ career sack record with 73.5 when he retired, turned in two of the best games of his 13-year career (1969-81) when it mattered most. In a 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX, he batted three Fran Tarkenton passes to the ground, helping the Steelers defense allow just 119 total yards, still a Super Bowl record. A year later in Super Bowl X, Greenwood sacked Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach four times as the Steelers defeated the Cowboys 21-17.

Greenwood played his college football at Arkansas AM&N (currently Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and was one of many small-school players who became major contributors to Pittsburgh’s dynasty in the 1970s, joining Donnie Shell (South Carolina State), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M), Sam Davis (Allen University) Steve Furness (Rhode Island), Glen Edwards (Florida A&M), Mel Blount (Southern), Mike Wagner (Western Illinois) and Holmes (Texas Southern).

I grew up watching highlights of those Steelers teams, so much so that I have to remind myself that I was in diapers for their two Super Bowls in 1978 and 1979. Though that defense had many impact players, Greenwood became my favorite player on that side of the ball.

It was a different time in the NFL. Back then, a quarterback sack meant a high-five from a teammate and a jog back to your team’s huddle or sideline.

Greenwood did his job well and he did it with class. There is a shortage of that in today’s NFL, where every big play is followed by some form of self-promoting nonsense.

Greenwood is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though he’s been a finalist many times.

I am convinced the reason that Greenwood and Shell, one of the best safeties of all time, have not been chosen is because there are already nine Steelers players from that era enshrined in Canton.

But the images of Greenwood’s gold high-top cleats and, more importantly, his relentless play, will remain with Steelers fans for years to come.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.