Bernard Eric Green is a former professional American football player who is the father to Elijah Green, who was ranked as MLB.com’s No. 3 draft prospect.
He was drafted twenty-first overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in National Football League Draft. He missed the training camp, preseason, and the opening game of the 1990 NFL, as he initially held out for fifty-four days.
Initially, he decided to sit out the entire 1990 NFL season so that he could be eligible for the 1991 NFL draft but later signed with the Steelers on the season-opening game but did not play until week five.
Here are some facts to know about Reic Green.
Eric Green Early Life
Bernard Eric Green was born on June 22, 1967; as of 2022, he is fifty-five years old. His loving and caring parents raised him in Savannah, Georgia, giving him every opportunity to pursue his career.
He entered high school as a young man, standing over six feet four inches tall and weighing 220 pounds. He began high school at Beach High School in his hometown Savannah but later transferred to Windsor Forest High School before his sophomore year.
Compared to Beach High school, Windsor was more academically diligent, and Eric describes himself as a tad on the lazy side of academics. His poor academics cost him his senior year of playing eligibility, and he was transferred back to Beach High School.
Eric Considered Starting Career In Air Force
After completing his high school at Beach High School, he considered joining the air force. But a coach from another high school in Savannah believed Green had what it took to play in college and arranged tryouts with Clemson University and Liberty University.
After the tryout, both of the colleges offered him a scholarship. As his mother wanted her son to get a Christian education, he accepted the scholarship invitation from Liberty, a Baptist school in Lynchburg, Virginia, founded by Reverend Jerry Falwell.
Eric Green Starts His Career As A Steelers
As a freshman in 1985, he was a backup for the 3-4-1 Flames. During the season, he was suspended from Liberty when he was caught drinking beer, which was a big no-no for Liberty.
After two unproductive years, he returned to Liberty in 1987 only to see limited action in an offense that didn’t use the tight end much. However, that changed before his senior year in 1989 when former Cleveland Browns coach Sam Rutigliano replaced the Liberty coach Morgan Hout.
Rutigliano was blown away by Eric’s athleticism; he had grown to six foot five inches and weighed 285 pounds, and reminded him of one of his former Cleveland players, All-Pro Ozzie Newsome.
Holdout For A Second Time! Green Takes Break From His Career
Green again held out of the training camp before the 1994 season, looking for a better salary. It was revealed to the public that Pittsburgh offered him a $10 million contract but declined the offer to sign a one-year deal for the ’94 seasons for $1.4 million so he could become a free agent after the ’94 seasons.
Highest Paid Tight End In NFL History As Eric Signs With Miami Dolphins
After the ’94 season concluded, he tested the free agent waters. Several teams offered him to join their franchise, like the Raiders and Dolphins, but he ended up signing a six-year, $12 million contract with Miami, making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
During his 1995 season, Green caught 43 for 499 yards and three touchdowns. On July 9, 1996, he was released from the Miami dolphin for his weight problem, and his work ethic caused then-coach Jimmy Johnson to remove Green from the team.
Final Career Stop At New York Jets And Retirement
He joined New York as his fourth team in his career. He finished his NFL career with the New York Jets, where he played ten games, started seven games, and caught seven passes for 37 yards.
In 10 years of his career as an NFL player, his totals were 362 receptions for 4390 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also became a two-time Pro Bowler for the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Elijah Green Is the Son Of Eric Green, Family And Ethnicity Details
After retiring from the game, Green returned to Florida to settle down with his wife and two children. Eric has three sons and four daughters. Eric’s son Elija is currently ranked as one of the best high school prospects in the nation for the upcoming MLB Draft and was drafted 5th overall by the Washington Nationals in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.