David Green may not be headed to the NFL, but his professional career is getting its start nonetheless.
Green — a 6-foot-1, 285-pound defensive tackle from Pittsburgh, Pa. — is headed north to start his pro career in Canada, signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL, CFL.ca reported.
“When you really love this game, you’ll do anything to continue to keep playing this game, so I’m definitely open to all opportunities,” Green said at the Pitt Pro Day in March. “… I don’t know if I could give up the dream, but I feel like I know when that time comes.”
While he may not have been the biggest impact player at Pitt during his six seasons as a Panther, he made an impact on and off the field that will not soon be forgotten. His charity work, starting the ‘Giving Green’ initiative to raise money for local children, is admirable. But he was a contributor on the field, too.
Green played in all 12 games last season, rotating as a starting defensive lineman with Devin Danielson, Tyler Bentley and Deandre Jules, and he was voted a team captain by his peers before the season.
He racked up 431 defensive snaps last season, grading out as an above-average run-stopper. He recorded 33 tackles (eight solo), three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery last season.
Green recorded 92 tackles (36 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, a forced fumble, a recovery and two pass breakups in his Pitt career.
Green is the first former Panther to earn an opportunity in the CFL, but there have been a handful of former Panthers to receive a chance at the professional ranks.
Matt Goncalves, Bub Means and M.J. Devonshire were all selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, and A.J. Woods (along with former Panthers’ John Morgan and Kedon Slovis) were signed by NFL teams.
Malcolm Epps (Indianapolis Colts), Jake Kradel (Colts), Shayne Simon (Buffalo Bills/Philadelphia Eagles), Tyler Bentley (Miami Dolphins) and Marquis Williams (Pittsburgh Steelers) all received NFL camp invites.
