Rams legend Kevin Greene dies at 58

Kevin Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, 72.5 of which came with the Rams.

Los Angeles Rams legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene died at the age of 58 on Monday. Heralded as one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, Greene left his mark on the field as a fearsome edge defender for 15 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and ranks third all-time with 160 career sacks.

Greene began his career with the Rams after being a fifth-round pick in the 1985 NFL draft. After being a backup for three years, he finally broke through as a starter in 1988. That year, he recorded 16.5 sacks in 16 games, forcing two fumbles and racking up 51 total tackles.

He spent eight years with the Rams, playing 119 games, recording 72.5 sacks and forcing 13 fumbles. Though he never won a Super Bowl, he did play in seven playoff games with the Rams and 17 total in his career.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker said in a statement released Monday. “I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”

Greene finished his career with the Steelers, Panthers and 49ers. In addition to his 160 sacks, he recorded 734 total tackles and forced 23 fumbles. He led the league in that sacks twice (1994 and 1996) and was named Player of the Month once (November 1994). Greene was selected to five Pro Bowls with two first-team All-Pro honors.

His cause of death was not announced.