Did you know Ed O'Neill actually made a training camp for a NFL team?

Yes, The Actor Known for Al Bundy Almost Played in the NFL

Ed O'Neill will go down in television history as one of the greatest TV dads ever. You could count his role in 'Modern Family', but as a kid of the 90's myself. Al Bundy on 'Married With Children' will be a top ten TV dad of all time for me. Al had a recurring bit on the show where he would bring up he scored four touchdowns in one game while in high school. Turns out, Ed O'Neill in real life was one hell of a football player.

Ed O'Neill Was Almost a Pittsburgh Steeler

Above is a photo of Ed O'Neill when he played football at Youngstown State. Looks like he made one hell of an impression because he was invited to training camp for the Steelers in 1969. This is right before the Steelers would become one of the most dominate teams of the decade and a big part of that was their 'Steel Curtain' defense. Well Ed sadly didn't make the team because two huge names would get his spot.

Mean Joe Greene Joined the Steelers in 1969

Back in 1969, the Steelers would use their first round pick on a guy named Charles Edward Greene. He would go onto earn the name, "Mean Joe Greene". That nickname came from his time playing at North Texas State, which we now call the University of North Texas. Back then, the school was simply known as The Eagles for their mascot. In 1966, The Eagles defense became known as the Mean Green. Since Charles last name was Greene, he got the nickname Mean Joe Greene since he was one of the standout players on the defense.

Where Does Joe Come From?

Charles Edward Greene getting the nickname Joe, actually came from his aunts. They thought he looked like the boxer Joe Louis and the nickname stuck. He says he doesn't mind the Joe nickname, but the mean part he wishes people left out. He feels that doesn't reflect his true character.

Ed O'Neill and Mean Joe Greene Could Have Been a Super Bowl Defense

Sadly Ed's NFL dreams came to close during training camp. Mean Joe Greene got a roster spot and also another 1969 draft pick named L. C. Greenwood got the defensive line positions that year. Sadly this is where Ed's football career ended. I was curious if he had any memorable plays and I discovered he once took out one of the greatest Dallas Cowboys of all time.

Ed O'Neill Once Hit Roger Staubach Illegally

Back in his Youngtown State days, the team took on Pensacola Naval Station who would have Roger Staubach as their starting quarterback. At one point in the game, Staubach was running out of bounds and O'Neill tackled him on the sidelines costing his team a fifteen yard penalty. The Steelers and the Cowboys would have a fierce rivalry in the 70's. Technically O'Neill got a hit on the Cowboys great, even if it wasn't as a member of the Steelers.