Eric Green (tight end)

Last updated

Eric Green
No. 86
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1967-06-22) June 22, 1967 (age 56)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:279 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school: Alfred E. Beach (Savannah, Georgia)
College: Liberty
NFL Draft: 1990  / Round: 1 / Pick: 21
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:362
Receiving yards:4,390
Receiving touchdowns:36
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Bernard Eric Green (born June 22, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round (21st overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. Green was a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Steelers in 1993 and 1994.

Contents

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m)		274 lb
(124 kg)		31+3⁄4 in
(0.81 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.84 s1.70 s2.77 s12 reps
All values from NFL Combine [1]

Green played in 10 NFL seasons from 1990 to 1999 for the Steelers, the Miami Dolphins, the Baltimore Ravens, and the New York Jets.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Green was drafted in the first round with the 21st overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Draft. [2] He initially held out for 54 days, causing him to miss training camp, preseason, and the opening game of the 1990 NFL season. [3] Initially Green had threatened to sit out the entire season, which would have made him eligible for the 1991 NFL Draft. It took a call from Liberty head coach Sam Rutigliano to the Steelers front office to tell them to keep pursuing Green and that a deal could be made. Green signed the day after the season opening game, but did not play until week five. [4] When Green did return to the Steelers lineup, his impact was immediately noticed. The Steelers offense did not score a touchdown until Green returned to the lineup. When he returned, he caught five of Bubby Brister's seven touchdown passes. With Green's return being noticed, defensive line coach Joe Greene commented, "Without Eric Green, we might not have scored a touchdown last year.". [4] Green's versatility was shown in his rookie season by having him play several different positions, including wide receiver, slotback, wingback, H-back, and even running back. [4]

On November 9, 1992, Green received a six-game suspension for violating the National Football League's drug policy. The league did not say which part of the policy that Green violated, but did confirm that it was not for steroids. At the time of the suspension, players who tested positive for steroids received a six-game suspension. Although the league would not confirm, this was the second time Green had violated the drug policy. A player receives treatment and counseling for a first offense and no announcement is made. [5]

After a Pro Bowl season in 1993 season where Green achieved career highs in receptions (63), yards (942), and yards per reception (15.0), Green chose to hold out at the beginning of the 1994 season. "I want to be compensated for what I've done, but the Steelers weren't prepared to do that," said the 290-pound Green, the NFL's biggest tight end. [6] With the ultimatum of either signing with the Steelers or miss the opening weekend game against the Dallas Cowboys, Green signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract on September 1, 1994. Green had rejected the Steelers earlier offer of a $10 million contract and took the lower offer to ensure his right to free agency after the season. [6] After back to back Pro Bowl seasons with the Steelers, Green became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 1994 NFL season.

Miami Dolphins

On March 11, 1995, Green signed a six-year, $12 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. [7] At the time of the signing, Green's contract made him the highest paid tight end in NFL history. Green had also visited with the Raiders prior to signing with the Dolphins, but they did not make him an offer. [7]

On July 9, 1996, Green was released from the Miami Dolphins. His weight problems and work ethic caused then-coach Jimmy Johnson to release Green from the team, which terminated his six-year, $12 million contract. Green attempted to collect his $1.5 million salary by going to arbitration. He said that his knee injury was caused by jogging with the team at mini-camp, while the Dolphins said it occurred while jogging at home. [8]

Baltimore Ravens

Green worked out with the Ravens in late September 1996 [9] and later announced that he and former Steelers teammate Bam Morris each signed two-year contracts with the team.

New York Jets

Green finished his NFL career with the New York Jets. Of the 10 games that he played with the Jets organization, he started 7 games and caught 7 passes for 37 yards.

NFL statistics

YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsYards per ReceptionLongest ReceptionTouchdownsFirst DownsFumblesFumbles Lost
1990 PIT 133438711.4467000
1991 PIT 114158214.24962900
1992 PIT 71415210.92421000
1993 PIT 166394215.07154632
1994 PIT 154661813.44643122
1995 MIA 144349911.63132600
1996 BAL 61515010.0231900
1997 BAL 16656019.23753011
1998 BAL 123442212.45612143
1999 NYJ 107375.3102300
Career1203624,39012.17136205108

[10]

Personal life

Once retired from the NFL, Green settled down in Florida with his wife and two children. He has three sons, and four daughters.

Green's son, Elijah, was drafted 5th overall by the Washington Nationals in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath Miller</span> American football player (born 1982)

Earl Heath Miller Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015. Miller played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, where he earned All-American honors and won the John Mackey Award. The Steelers selected him in the first round with the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjamin Watson</span> American football player (born 1980)

Benjamin Seth Watson is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft and won Super Bowl XXXIX with the Patriots over the Philadelphia Eagles in his rookie year. He played college football at Duke and Georgia. Watson has also played for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Beck (gridiron football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

John Dalton Beck is an American football coach and former quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 6 seasons. He played college football at Brigham Young University, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In addition to the Dolphins, Beck played professionally for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans, as well as the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Peelle</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Justin Morris Peelle is a former American football tight end and coach who is the tight ends coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Lee (American football)</span> American football player (born 1980)

Donald Tywon Lee is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and spent two seasons with the team. He also played for the Green Bay Packers from 2005 to 2010 and the Cincinnati Bengals from 2011 to 2012. With Green Bay, he won Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Timmons</span> American football player (born 1986)

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers the following year, and played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Miami Dolphins season</span> 42nd season and lowest win total in franchise history

The 2007 Miami Dolphins season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and 42nd season overall. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their 6–10 record in 2006, falling to 1–15. The team narrowly avoided going winless, with their only win coming on a close overtime game with the Baltimore Ravens on December 16.. It was the Dolphins' first and only season under head coach Cam Cameron, after former head coach Nick Saban unexpectedly resigned to become the head coach at the University of Alabama. It also marked the third and final season under general manager Randy Mueller. Both Cameron and Mueller were fired after the season.

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football franchise which competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team's headquarters, stadium and training facilities are all co-located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins' team was founded by attorney-politician Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas. The Dolphins began play in the American Football League (AFL) in 1966. South Florida had not had a professional football team since the days of the Miami Seahawks, who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) East Division in 1946 before becoming the first incarnation of the Baltimore Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Miami Dolphins season</span> 43rd season in franchise history; greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history

The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 43rd overall and the first under new head coach Tony Sparano. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous record for most improved team one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1997 New York Jets, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998, which was also the first year of the Peyton Manning era. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season. The division title also snapped the Patriots' 5-year streak of winning the AFC East. Their season would come to an end in the Wild Card round when they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, which coincidentally, was also the only team they beat last season in overtime to save the Dolphins from suffering a winless season. With their 11–5 record and division title, the Dolphins had hopes of achieving their first playoff victory since 2000, or to possibly become the first team ever to make the Super Bowl after winning only one game the previous season, similar to how the Carolina Panthers went 1–15 in 2001 and made Super Bowl XXXVIII just two seasons later.

The 2009 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 44th overall and the second under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins entered the 2009 season as the reigning AFC East champions after posting an 11–5 record in 2008. Dropping by four more games, the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, marking the 25th consecutive year that the region hosting the Super Bowl did not see its host team play in, thus it set off a playoff drought that lasted until 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Wallace (American football)</span> American football player (born 1986)

Burnell Michael Wallace III is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ole Miss Rebels, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 84th overall pick. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles. Throughout his career, Wallace was known for his speed after finishing with a time of 4.33-seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Mosley (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Clint Mosley Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon Richardson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Sheldon Adam Richardson is an American football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Missouri, and was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Richardson has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Ebron</span> American football player (born 1993)

Eric Ebron is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has also previously played for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clive Walford</span> American football player (born 1991)

Clive Walford is a former American football tight end. He played college football for the University of Miami and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Boyle</span> American football player (born 1993)

Nicholas Ryan Boyle is an American football long snapper and former tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Delaware and was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Waller</span> American football player (born 1992)

Darren Charles Waller is an American football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He is the great-grandson of composer and jazz pianist Fats Waller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Andrews (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Mark Andrews is an American football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma and was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Andrews has been elected to the Pro Bowl three times and was named to the 2021 All-Pro Team after setting the Ravens' single-season record for receptions and receiving yards.

Christopher Herndon IV is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Miami (FL) and was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Boykin</span> American football player (born 1996)

Miles Boykin is an American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame.

References

  1. ↑ "Eric Green, Combine Results, TE - Liberty (VA)". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ "1990 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ LATimes.com: Stewart Makes Impact on Rams' Defense
  4. 1 2 3 CNNSi.com: The Beginning Of The End (October 14, 1991)
  5. ↑ Steelers' Tight End Suspended by NFL
  6. 1 2 LATimes.com Steelers' Green Signs 1-Year Deal
  7. 1 2 Tight End Green Signs With Dolphins; Rams' Chandler Agrees to Oilers' Terms
  8. ↑ LATimes.com: Ravens Cut Rison; Steelers Release Morris
  9. ↑ Ravens Close to Signing Morris, Green
  10. ↑ "Eric Green Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Numbers add up for dynamic Green". Perfect Game. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.