University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football great L.C. Greenwood will posthumously receive the Roscoe Nance Lifetime Achievement Award later this spring.
Greenwood will be one of several individuals recognized during the SWAC Alumni Association’s upcoming Legends Awards and Roast on May 17 at the Sheraton Refuge Hotel and Conference Center in Flowood, Miss.
“The Greenwood family would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the SWAC Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award honored on behalf of L.C. Greenwood,” Greenwood’s sister Annie Greenwood said. “We know that he will be smiling down from Heaven when this award is presented on May 17.”
Greenwood played for UAPB, then called Arkansas AM&N, from 1965-68. UAPB retired his No. 88 jersey in 2017 after his death in 2013.
The Canton, Miss., native was a four-year letterman and defensive line starter for UAPB. In 1968, he was named All-SWAC and an Ebony All-American. He led the Golden Lions in sacks in each of his final three years with the team.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Greenwood in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He went on to have a 13-year career in Pittsburgh as a member of the famed “Steel Curtain” defense. He won four Super Bowls during his Steelers career.
He finished his time with Pittsburgh with 73.5 career sacks, making him the franchise’s second player to reach that mark.
Greenwood is a member of various halls of fame, including the Pittsburgh Pro Football, UAPB, SWAC, Black College Football, MEAC/SWAC Legends, Mississippi and Arkansas halls of fame. Next month, he will be one of 10 UAPB legends inducted into the new Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame.
He will be one of three athletes receiving the Roscoe Nance Lifetime Achievement Award in May, joining Jackson State’s Robert Brazile and Alcorn State’s Alvin Moore.
Former Grambling State baseball coach Wilbert Ellis will receive the Dennis E. Thomas Distinguished Service Award, and Jackson State football press box and track and field announcer Eddie James will receive the Charles “Chuck” Prophet Wagon Master Award.
The SWAC Alumni Association Legends Award and Roast is an annual event honoring former student-athletes, coaches, administrators or staff members who had positive impacts on the SWAC. Proceeds benefit the association’s Degree Completion Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to SWAC athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility but are within 30 credit hours of graduating.
Tickets will be available next month at $75 each or $600 for a table of eight.