As part of Black History Month, the Pittsburgh Steelers are highlighting members of their organization who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This spotlight focuses on former linebacker Greg Lloyd, who played for Fort Valley State before joining the Steelers.
Lloyd’s reputation for intensity was well-known during his career. He often wore a shirt that read, “I wasn’t hired for my disposition,” a gift from elementary school children after he spoke at their school. “I somehow got chosen to go speak to an elementary school,” said Lloyd. “How or why, I don’t know. When it was over the kids wanted to present me with something and here is this T-shirt with ‘I wasn’t hired for my disposition.’ I told the kids I was going to wear the T-shirt every day, so they knew I appreciated what they did.
“Then it caught on. It was like Clark Kent goes into the booth, and he comes out as Superman. That is kind of how it was. You come to work as a mild-mannered guy. You put this thing on, and you are this superhero thing.”
Although Fort Valley State is not widely recognized as a football powerhouse, Lloyd attracted attention through his performance in the Sheridan All-Star Game featuring HBCU players. He recalled feeling overlooked by larger programs: “I still felt like coming out of college I got disrespected,” said Lloyd. “Schools where I wanted to go, weren’t interested in me. I was the number two linebacker coming out of high school, but schools thought I was too small.
“I came in with a chip on my shoulder. I thought other linebackers that came in that year didn’t have anything on me other than they went to Alabama, Georgia, or Florida. Back then I just wanted to play, but still had that chip on my shoulder. People would ask about Fort Valley State College. In practice I would be like, I am going to show them what Fort Valley State is all about.”
Drafted by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Lloyd made an immediate impact by intercepting a pass during his first minicamp play.
“When I played in Pittsburgh, I was a young kid coming out Fort Valley, I just wanted to play,” said Lloyd. “When I got there and you meet the likes of Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, and I got to play with Donnie Shell and John Stallworth and see the work habit, you want to be like those guys. I wanted to be like those guys and have someone wear my jersey.
“I knew I had to work hard. I wanted to be considered one of those guys when I left there. When they talk about linebackers in Pittsburgh, if they don’t mention my name when I retire, then I didn’t play well.
“That was my whole thing when I played. I wanted to be the best. It doesn’t come by talking, it comes by what you do on the field.”
Lloyd’s contributions were later recognized with induction into both the Steelers Hall of Honor (Class of 2020) and Black College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2018). The Steelers Hall of Honor includes notable figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene for their achievements with the franchise.
During his career with Pittsburgh from 1988-1997—an era marked by multiple Super Bowl championships according to the team’s records—Lloyd became a three-time All-Pro selection and participated in five Pro Bowls. He ranks ninth all-time for sacks among Steelers players with 53.5 sacks and earned team MVP honors twice.
The Steelers maintain several initiatives recognizing past contributors through historical celebrations such as those featured at their Hall of Honor events and at displays within Acrisure Stadium’s Hall of Honor Museum.
Reflecting on his career in Pittsburgh—a franchise affiliated with the National Football League (NFL affiliation)—Lloyd said: “I didn’t get a chance to play with guys like Franco (Harris), but just to meet them, to see them come around, the history of the team, I was built for that,” said Lloyd. “Pittsburgh had a bunch of guys that had a certain DNA that you needed to play on the defense. Being in that black and gold, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“I will always bleed black and gold. It’s an honor to be considered among the best that played for the team, the guys I played with and came before me. I always wanted to be one of those guys, and I am honored they consider me one of them.”
