Steelers Great Aaron Smith Revealing The Real Reason Why He Wore Number 91

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted defensive end Aaron Smith in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Smith played his entire 13-year career with Pittsburgh, making one Pro Bowl team and winning two Super Bowls. Interestingly, his journey to football began with a lack of interest in the sport, but he eventually recognized that football was the key to unlocking his potential.

Throughout his time with the Steelers, Smith amassed 481 combined tackles, 44 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles, 21 passes defensed, and one interception. He started 152 games and was an ideal fit for the team's 3-4 defense. While many of his contributions didn't appear in the stat sheets, both his coaches and fans understood his immense value.

In an interview with Rob King, Smith reminisced about some of his favorite moments in Steel City. He revealed that he had been a Steelers fan growing up, thanks to Kevin Greene. Greene's three seasons with the Steelers were enough to make Smith a fan of the team.

“I actually loved the Steelers when Kevin Greene was here… Kevin Greene was my favorite player at 91. For my birthday, one of my best friends gave me an 8x10 and I got a picture of Kevin Greene.”

In his three seasons with the Steelers, Greene was outstanding. He earned spots on two Pro Bowl teams and one All-Pro team. Greene recorded 184 combined tackles and 35.5 sacks. Smith revealed that Greene returned to assist during a training camp, giving him the opportunity to speak with his favorite player. Smith tried not to fanboy while telling Greene that he wore number 91 because of him.

“Which was funny because you fast forward when Kevin Greene was helping out at camp. We were hanging out in the pool between one of the practices. I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to make this weird, but you were my favorite player growing up. That’s why I kind of chose 91.’"

Smith retired from the game of football in August 2012. In July 2023, he was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor. Smith was never one to seek or crave attention; he simply wanted to play on the field with his teammates and impact the game however he could. Being recognized in the Hall of Honor was significant for him, as it demonstrated how much he was truly valued by the organization.

Steelers' Kevin Greene Had An Incredible Career

Smith's admiration for Greene during his youth led him to wear the number 91 throughout his entire career. Greene, a Hall of Famer, played both defensive end and linebacker, primarily as a linebacker. He was named to five Pro Bowl teams and two All-Pro teams.

Greene played for four teams throughout his 15-year NFL career. He started with the Los Angeles Rams, then moved to the Steelers, followed by the Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers before finishing his career with the Panthers. Greene's career was undeniably remarkable, and Smith drew inspiration from him, carrying on his legacy during his own career in Pittsburgh. Both players shared a fierce style of play. 

For Smith, having the chance to tell Greene how much he idolized him was a moment that brought everything full circle. It was a special and meaningful experience for Smith, highlighting the deep impact Greene had on his life and career. Greene's life sadly came to an end at the young age of 58. His legacy in life and football lives on.

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