Former Steelers lineman L.C. Greenwood laid to rest

PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood was laid to rest Monday morning.

Greenwood's service was held at the Pentecostal Temple COGIC in the city's East Liberty section. He died Sept. 29 of kidney failure following back surgery.

“I know that L.C.’s in the presence of God right now and will never have a bad day ever again in his life. There’s great celebration in that and there’s great joy and hope,” former Steeler Tunch Ilkin said after Monday’s service.

Greenwood was one of the original members of the four-man defensive front nicknamed the Steel Curtain, which led the team to four Super Bowl victories from 1975 to 1980.

“What a good teammate he was, and what a good friend he was. We sure will miss him,” Hall of Famer Lynn Swann said.

Ernie Holmes and Dwight White were other members of the feared foursome who died previously. Only Hall of Famer "Mean" Joe Greene remains from the group.

“When I called him to try to get an appointment, for lunch or dinner, it was always around his church schedule. If it was Sunday – no way,” Greene said.

Greenwood earned four Super Bowl rings while playing for the Steelers from 1969 to 1981. He was 67.

“He had a great life and was a great guy. He was a teammate and a great friend. He’s now in a good place,” Franco Harris said.

WPXI