NFL Historian Gives High Praise to L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White

In a recent article, NFL historian John Turney of the Talk of Fame Network named former Steelers defensive ends L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White as the best defensive end duo that’s not in Canton.

Turney limited it to hand-in-dirt guys on all downs. Tandems that were part of defenses that could stop the run and pressure opposing quarterbacks were also a key component in the rankings.

Greenwood-White edged out 16 other defensive end duos. The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end duo of Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Harvey Martin in the 1970s came in at No. 2.

“Greenwood and Holmes were fine two-way ends, playing the run and pass, and were part of a defense that crushed opposing NFL running games,” Turney wrote. “White made first- or second-team All-AFC from 1972-75 and went to the Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973 … making the all-star event one year before Greenwood’s first visit.

“However, Greenwood was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. He also could make a case as Defensive MVP in Super Bowls IX and X had there been such an award. He was that dominant in those games.

“Greenwood has also been a six-time finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of the 32 players listed, he probably has the best chance of getting a bust in Canton.”

NORFOLK, Va. — L.C. Greenwood, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, and Luis Tiant, a former Boston Red Sox player, stand on the brow of USS Albany (SSN 753) with Chief of the Boat, Michael Nichols, before going below decks to tour Albany June 13. The tour was part of Summerfest 2007, hosted by Naval Station Norfolk’s Morale Welfare and Recreation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christina M. Shaw (RELEASED)

Last October, Turney stated that it’s  long overdue for Greenwood to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“Greenwood in the senior pool, it’s time to give him one last look to see if a player with four rings, six Pro Bowls, two All-Pros and an all-decade selection should be outside the Hall of Fame looking in,” Turney wrote. “Too many Steelers or not, the Hall should be reserved for how well an individual performs, not whom he played for. L.C. Greenwood performed like a Hall of Famer, and it’s time he had a Gold Jacket to match his shoes.”

Like Hall of Fame Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann, Greenwood came up big in the playoffs, especially in Super Bowls.

“Though he had no sacks in Super Bowl IX — no Steeler did — he batted down three passes and repeatedly flushed Fran Tarkenton from the pocket in a game the Steelers won, 16-6, and held Minnesota to nine first downs and 119 yards in offense,” Turney wrote.

“The next year L.C. and the Steel Curtain were all over Roger Staubach, sacking the Dallas quarterback seven times — including four by Greenwood — en route to a 21-17 victory.

“Had there been an award for Super Bowl Defensive Player of the Game, Greenwood easily could’ve won it in both the 1974 and 1975 Super Bowls. He played as well as any defensive Steeler, including Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Ham, Blount … anyone you can name. All told in the playoffs, he was credited with more than 10 sacks — one of the few players to reach double digits in postseason play.”