Eric Green (tight end)

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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 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]

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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.
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