Displayed is a 1974 Mean Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Championship Josten's ring that was made as a salesman ring sample. Born Charles Edward Greene on Sept. 24, 1946, Greene was called "Joe" by his grandmother because she thought he looked like Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Louis. In Greene's second season at North Texas University, the teams were nicknamed the "Mean Green" and Joe's tough play and the school's nickname soon caused his nickname to become "Mean Joe." With the Pittsburgh Steelers, Greene became the keystone of the team's superb Steel Curtain defense, and the Steelers went on to win an amazing four Super Bowls in six years, as they won Super Bowls after the '74, '75, '78, and '79 seasons. Greene's unique combination of size, strength, quickness, and hostility made blocking him a major obstacle for opposing teams. He became a 2-tine NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year, a 4-time All-Pro, and a 10-time Pro Bowl Player. He was also named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s Team. Greene is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The Pittsburgh Steelers began the team's 1970s Super Bowl Dynasty with a 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX, played on Jan. 12, 1975, at Tulane Stadium, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Running back Franco Harris scored a touchdown for the Steelers, and he was named the Super Bowl MVP. Although he was often double-teamed and had only one tackle, Greene played an excellent game, with an interception he returned for 10 yards and a fumble recovery. The face of the ring encircles the shape of a football field, and in the center of this "football field" is a sparkling stone, made of cubic zirconium. The ring size is 10.25", the ring is 10K gold, and it weighs 1.5 ounces. It has a Josten's stamp. On the ring face is written, in raised lettering, "WORLD CHAMPIONS". Around the outside of the ring face, in raised letters, is written PITTSBURGH STEELERS, and engraved on the outside ring face is "1974." Engraved on the left prong is "Greene/ Steelers logo/and "75," Mean Joe's number. Engraved on the right prong is "SUPER BOWL IX/an image of the Super Bowl Trophy/and the scores of the two playoff games leading to the Super Bowl, and then the score of the Super Bowl itself: "Steelers- 32/Bills-6, Steelers-24/Raiders-13, and Steelers-16/Vikings-6." The ring has a tiny nick on the right prong and a few very small scratches, but it is otherwise is in very nice condition.