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Greener pastures Panthers' Greene to announce retirement from football
Posted: Tuesday January 25, 2000 06:59 PM
CHARLOTTE (AP) -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene plans to hold a news conference Thursday at which he is expected to announce his retirement from pro football. Greene said the Panthers were arranging a time and place for a news conference Thursday in Atlanta, site of the Super Bowl. The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that Greene would announce his retirement. The newspaper attributed the story to unnamed sources. Greene declined to say Tuesday whether he will retire. "Everybody's trying to get a jump on this. I'm going to be announcing this on Thursday," Greene said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. A Panthers spokesman did not return calls seeking comment.
Greene, 37, made it clear throughout this season that it might be his last. He was carried off the field by teammates after recording two sacks in the Panthers' final game, a 45-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 2. Greene is expected to be joined by his wife, Tara, at a news conference Thursday. His retirement means one of the Panthers' top off-season priorities likely will be finding a replacement for him at outside linebacker, either through free agency or the college draft in April. There also are two potential candidates on the roster, Donta Jones and Hannibal Navies, a fourth-round pick in the 1999 draft. Greene ranks third on the NFL's all-time sacks list with 160, trailing only ex-Green Bay defensive end Reggie White (192.5) and Buffalo end Bruce Smith, with 171. He's also third in fumble recoveries with 26. Greene has been one of the league's most colorful players throughout his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Panthers. He often energized fans with his exuberant, passionate play, and in recent years delved into a part-time career in pro wrestling. A five-time Pro Bowl pick, Greene could pursue a career in broadcasting. He was an announcer on NFL Europe broadcasts last summer. He also has been a controversial figure at times. After helping the Panthers to the 1996 NFC Championship Game with a league-leading 14 1/2 sacks, he became embroiled in a contract dispute and held out the 1997 preseason. He was eventually released and signed with the rival 49ers. Greene returned to the Panthers as a free agent before the 1998 season. He also was suspended for one game last season for shoving assistant coach Kevin Steele on the sideline. Greene had 15 sacks last year and 12 this season, finishing with 41 1/2 in three seasons with the Panthers.
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