Steelers Legendary Cornerback Rod Woodson Remembers Getting A Major Scolding From "Mean" Joe Greene After His 1st Career INT

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Rod Woodson remembers getting all kinds of congratulations from his teammates on the sideline on November 22, 1987. He secured his first career interception in the NFL. He also recalled that one legendary member of the Steelers coaching staff wasn't all that pleased with the young player's actions as he took the ball into the end zone. Woodson joined Dan Patrick for a one-on-one sit-down interview to discuss his epic journey from growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to becoming a star in the NFL. He also shared his recollections of getting his first-ever professional pick. 

Woodson was eased into the starting lineup on defense in his rookie year under Head Coach Chuck Noll. The talented athlete from Purdue, drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, didn't get into a game in his rookie season until Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first game of NFL action, he returned two kickoffs and two punts. Two weeks later, Pittsburgh faced off against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals, and Woodson got to show off the talent he'd be known for during his career, returning interceptions for touchdowns. 

Pittsburgh had finished the 1986 season 6-10, which put them in the position to land Woodson, but things were going a little better in 1987. The team had been up and down with a 5-4 record before they traveled to Cincinnati to play against a team they had narrowly beaten 23-20 on a game-winning field goal by Gary Anderson with time expiring. 

In the second quarter, Pittsburgh held a 6-3 lead when Woodson snagged a tipped ball out of the air from Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason and took it 45 yards to score. As he was running into the end zone, Woodson was holding the ball out with one hand and pointing at Bengals offensive lineman Doug Aronson, who had no chance to catch him. That taunting, which might've gotten him a flag in a more recent game, drew the ire of Steelers legend "Mean" Joe Greene. 

"I go to the sideline, and everybody is patting me on the back and giving me high fives," Woodson recalled. "Joe Greene was our defensive line coach, and he comes over and goes, 'Never do that again.' I just looked at him and go, 'Yes sir.'"

Greene certainly lived up to his nickname, and the rookie Woodson had no intentions of getting on his bad side. The man who had won two AP Defensive Player of the Year Awards in the 1970s was as mean as they come and certainly showed it. He once threw a helmet into the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns.           

Steelers' Woodson Terrified Of Greene 

Woodson was a 22-year-old in the 1987 season, fresh out of playing four years in the Big 10. He had already heard about Greene's reputation and started to see it for himself when he joined the team. 

Woodson told Patrick that he remembered being at the Steelers facility, and that was where what he heard about the Steelers legend turned into reality. 

"'Mean' Joe, when he'd shut his door to the defensive line room, I would hear objects being thrown at the wall," he said.  

Patrick joked that it could've been bodies hitting the wall that Woodson was hearing. The legendary cornerback agreed it could've been his teammates hitting the wall. 

Woodson caught 37 more interceptions during his career in Pittsburgh, four more for touchdowns. He probably had that moment of getting scolded by Greene each time as he ran down the field with the ball, reminding him not to taunt opponents.

Woodson went on to be the king of the pick six, registering a total of 12, which still stands today as the NFL record. He'll certainly always remember that first one and the little tongue-lashing he got from a legend of the game. 

What did you think about Woodson's story about his first interception? How would you have reacted if Greene told you to never do something again? Comment below!

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