Steelers' Rod Woodson Recalls Scary Moment When He Seriously Upset Mean Joe Greene

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted cornerback Rod Woodson in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1987 NFL Draft. They were focused on improving their secondary, but Head Coach Chuck Noll believed there was no chance Woodson would still be available at their pick. He was so certain of this that he told Defensive Coordinator Tony Dungy not to bother with a scouting report. When Woodson unexpectedly fell to them, the Steelers wasted no time in selecting him.

Woodson went on to have a Hall of Fame career, playing for the Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders. However, it was in Pittsburgh where he truly gained momentum and built the foundation of his legacy. His speed, physicality, and instincts made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the league, and he quickly became a key figure in the Steelers’ defense.

In a recent appearance on the In The Front Row with Mike Vaccaro podcast, Woodson shared a story about his first career interception, which came against the Cincinnati Bengals. He remembered the ball tipping into his hands before he raced to the end zone. 

"You know what is crazy?" Woodson asked. "I wasn’t playing corner. I was playing safety… I remember coming in, and Boomer threw it… it tips off, and it comes right into my hands. I just outran everybody to the goal line, and I remember when I scored, I kinda pointed at the individual who was chasing me."

After scoring, he pointed at the defender chasing him, but when he got to the sideline, Mean Joe Greene confronted him and told him never to do that again. 

It was a moment that stuck with Woodson and taught him an important lesson about humility and the Steelers’ standard of excellence.

"I get to the sideline, and Mean Joe Greene walks up to me and goes, 'Don’t you ever do that again.' I was like, 'Uh, yes sir. I will not point at anybody ever again,'" Woodson said. "To me, that was like the standard that the Steelers had. We are gonna win, and we are gonna do it with class. We don’t need to showboat or do all that stuff. I really enjoyed being part of that."

The Steelers have maintained a high standard of excellence for decades, a tradition that was established in the 1970s with the dominance of their legendary Steel Curtain defense. This era of tough, disciplined, and team-focused football created a strong culture that defined the franchise. By the time Woodson joined the Steelers, this culture was already well established and widely respected.

Greene was a key figure in that era and remained a powerful presence when Woodson arrived. Greene was not only one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, but also a leader who expected every player to uphold the team’s values. When Woodson celebrated his first interception by pointing at the defender chasing him, Greene did not approve. He pulled Woodson aside and made it clear that such behavior was not acceptable in Pittsburgh.

What could have been just a moment of celebration became an important lesson for Woodson about humility and respect. Playing for the Steelers meant more than making big plays. It required carrying oneself with class and honoring the legacy of those who built the team’s reputation. This experience helped shape Woodson’s mindset and approach throughout his career.

Steelers' Tradition Losing Its Grip For Some

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Some pundits have been quick to say that under Head Coach Mike Tomlin, the team has lost its tradition. 

Whether that is true or not, some former players feel the same way. In the 2025 season, Tomlin will look to lead his team back on a deep postseason run and prove that the standard is still the standard in the Steel City.

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