Hugh Green

Hugh Donell Green (born July 27, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and was recognized as a three-time consensus All-American. Green was selected in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins. Early years Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi. He attended North Natchez High School. College career Green attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played defensive end for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers from 1977 to 1980. Green was part of an elite team that included four future NFL Hall of Fame players: Defensive end Rickey Jackson, Center Russ Grimm, lineman Jimbo Covert and quarterback Dan Marino. Several other future NFL stars would be his teammates, including Mark May. He was a three-time consensus first-team All-American (1978, 1979, 1980) and a second-team All-America selection as a freshman in 1977. He was a consensus four-time All-East selection as well. In the 4 years Green played, the Pittsburgh Panthers compiled a 39–8–1 record, winning three bowl games en route (two Gator Bowls and one Fiesta Bowl). His No. 99 jersey was retired at halftime of his final home game in the 1980 season. After the season, he played in both the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl All-star games. Green left the university with 460 tackles and 53 career sacks in his college career. According to USC and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach John McKay, "Hugh Green is the most productive player at his position I have ever seen in college". The table is a year-by-year showing of Green's defensive statistics.