Mean Joe's No. 75 retired

MEAN JOE GREENE had his nickname before he arrived in Pittsburgh and he lived up to it during his 13-year NFL career with the Steelers. He was the leader of the Steel Curtain defense, and he fought, punched and willed the Steelers into a championship team everyone in the NFL had to respect.

Last night, Mean Joe Greene cried.

Now gray and known as "Papa Joe'' to his seven grandchildren, the 68-year-old Steelers legend became the second player in franchise history to have his jersey retired and the first from the dynasty of the Super '70s. Greene joined defensive lineman Ernie Stautner as the only Steelers with retired jerseys. Stautner's No. 70 jersey was retired 50 years ago.

In a ceremony in FedEx Hall inside Heinz Field 3 hours before last night's Steelers-Ravens game, team president Art Rooney II unveiled the No. 75 jersey that now resides next to Stautner's in the hall.

"I thought my knees got weak when [owner Dan Rooney] and Art told me they wanted to retire my number," Greene said. "This is completely overwhelming. I can't say how happy I am to be placed in this awesome category with Ernie."

At that point, Greene broke down. The emotions caught up to him.

"I was just thinking about the journey, how special it has been for me, how blessed I've been to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," Greene said later. "Initially, I was hesitant about being a Steeler because of the history. Prior to me being a Steeler, we won two out of 14 games. My first year we won one out of 14. We didn't start very well. Thanks to the leadership of the Rooneys and [coach] Chuck Noll, that all changed."

Greene played for the Steelers from 1969 until 1981. He served as the team's defensive-line coach from 1987-91 and later served as a team scout from 2004 until 2012.

He was joined by Steelers from all points in the journey last night. Many of his teammates came out to support him, including fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers Franco Harris, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Mel Blount.

"He really was the bedrock, the foundation of our '70s team," Harris said. "To have this recognition today is so wonderful. I'm so happy to be able to celebrate this with Joe and to honor him for everything he has contributed to the great city and the Pittsburgh Steelers."

* Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and his representatives have been in talks to reach a plea agreement in his child-abuse case in Texas that could be done as early as tomorrow, ESPN reported, citing sources close to the situation.

Peterson was placed on the NFL's exempt list, which bars him from all team activities until his case is resolved.