Eric Green was a talented American football player who played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on April 18, 1967, in Savannah, Georgia, and attended Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia. Green was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both football and basketball.
After graduating from high school, Green attended the University of Miami, where he played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was a dominant force on the field, earning All-American honors in 1989 and helping the Hurricanes win the national championship that same year.
In 1990, Green was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top tight ends, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1993 and 1994. Green was known for his size and athleticism, standing at 6'5" and weighing over 280 pounds. He was a difficult player to tackle and was often used as a red-zone threat, scoring many touchdowns throughout his career.
Green played for the Steelers for four seasons before signing with the Miami Dolphins in 1995. He played two seasons with the Dolphins before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 1997. Green played one season with the Ravens before being released and signing with the New York Jets in 1998. He played one season with the Jets before retiring from the NFL in 1999.
Throughout his career, Green was known for his impressive statistics. He caught 362 passes for 4,390 yards and 36 touchdowns in his nine-year career. He was also known for his durability, playing in 121 out of a possible 128 games during his career.
Despite his success on the field, Green's career was not without controversy. He was suspended for four games in 1994 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He also had a reputation for being difficult to coach and was known for his clashes with teammates and coaches.
After retiring from the NFL, Green struggled with health issues. He suffered from sleep apnea and was diagnosed with diabetes. He also struggled with weight gain, which led to him weighing over 400 pounds at one point. In 2002, Green was involved in a serious car accident that left him with a broken neck and other injuries. He was able to recover from the accident but continued to struggle with his health in the years that followed.
Eric Green passed away on May 23, 2002, at the age of 34. His death was attributed to heart failure, which was likely caused by his struggles with weight and diabetes. Despite his short life, Green left a lasting impact on the NFL and is remembered as one of the league's top tight ends of the 1990s.
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