Greene was all smiles by the time the ceremony came to an end, one which had Mel Blount, Franco Harris, Andy Russell, John Stallworth, and Lynn Swann all wearing No. 75 jerseys and Greene singing the praises of what being a member of this team was about then and now.
"All for one and one for all," said Greene, who gave a pregame speech in the locker room prior to kickoff. "That's how you play Steelers football."
And before he walked off stage, he reached his big arm out and embraced Dan Rooney in a way that showed the love the two shared.
Greene became only the second player in Steelers history to have his jersey retired, the other being No. 70 Ernie Stautner. Since Greene's jersey was retired, Franco Harris' No. 32 was also retired.
"This wouldn't be happening without my teammates, without Chuck Noll, without the ownership of the Steelers, because we wouldn't be here," said Greene. "We don't get to this point. Football is about teamwork. We put 11 guys out there at a time, not 12, and we wouldn't want to play with 10. Everyone is carrying their weight, and everyone did for the most part. That's what it's about. You cannot stand on a pedestal alone because that is impossible.
"I want to think that Joe Greene was a part of a fantastic football team of the 1970s that probably set the tone and tempo for history for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They helped create what was the most dynamic and fantastic football city and football fans in the world – the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Greene said from the moment he learned his jersey was going to be retired he was in a state of shock.
"My first reaction was wow," said Greene. "I am glad I was sitting down. I got a little weak. I was floored. I said thank you. Thank you so much. I almost wanted to say are you sure? I was completely overwhelmed. I sat there quiet for a while and let it sink in. I knew about my jersey being put on the shelf, mine, 32 (Franco Harris), 12 (Terry Bradshaw) and 58 (Jack Lambert) and I was comfortable with that sometimes.
"It hadn't been done in such a long time and there was no other player before me other than Ernie who experienced it, that made it more special. It is indeed special to have your number retired. To have it retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who don't do that often at all.
"I started to think I am really blessed to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. To have Chuck (Noll) as my coach, Art (Rooney), Sr., Dan, Art II as the owners. That made it all happen…the players, the scouting department. Without the players, coaches, ownership we are not talking about the retirement of my jersey. I was not alone achieving this goal. For it to happen someone has to say yes, and I am so pleased that Dan and Art would think enough of me to do that. That is saying an awful lot."
Greene remembered the last time he wore the jersey in a game. It was against the Houston Oilers on Dec. 20, 1981, at the Astrodome, a 21-20 loss. At that point he never dreamt that no one would ever wear that number again in a game.
"I never could have imagined that. I didn't think about it," said Greene. "I was sad I wasn't going to wear it again in competition. It had been in battle for 13 years and to take it off for the last time, in Houston, Texas playing the Oilers. That was a sad moment for me, a sad time. Being the last time I would wear it, I was very sad.
"But I have been blessed. I grew to love the organization, love the people leading this organization and it just got better. They have been a big part of my life.
"I keep coming back to the beginning. I know that it would not have happened had I not been a Pittsburgh Steeler. The organization was with me when I was transcending from a young 21, 22-year old player to a 35-year old guy who played his 13-year career in one place.
"You play the game, you win some, you lose some. Hopefully you win more than you lose, and you have the opportunity to play on four World Championship teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers."