Eric Green ( tight end ) Bernard L . Eric Green ( born June 22 , 1967 in Savannah , Georgia ) , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1st round ( 21st overall ) of the 1990 NFL Draft . Green was a two - time Pro Bowl selection for the Steelers in 1993 and 1994 . Professional career . Green played in 10 NFL seasons from 1990 - 1999 for the Steelers , the Miami Dolphins , the Baltimore Ravens , and the New York Jets . Pittsburgh Steelers . Green was drafted twenty - first overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Draft . He initially held out for 54 days , causing him to miss training camp , preseason , and the opening game of the 1990 NFL season . Initially Green had threatened to sit out the entire season , which would have made him eligible for the 1991 NFL Draft . It took a call from Liberty head coach Sam Rutigliano to the Steelers front office to tell them to keep pursuing Green and that a deal could be made . Green signed the day after the season opening game , but did not play until week five . When Green did return to the Steelers lineup , his impact was immediately noticed . The Steelers offense did not score a touchdown until Green returned to the lineup . When he returned , he caught five of Bubby Brister ' s seven touchdown passes . With Green ' s return being noticed , defensive line coach Joe Greene commented , " Without Eric Green , we might not have scored a touchdown last year . " . Green ' s versatility was shown in his rookie season by having him play several different positions , including wide receiver , slotback , wingback , H - back , and even running back . On November 9 , 1992 , Green received a six game suspension for violating the National Football League ' s drug policy . The league did not say which part of the policy that Green violated , but did confirm that it was not for steroids . At the time of the suspension , players who tested positive for steroids received a six game suspension . Although the league would not confirm , this was the second time Green had violated the drug policy . A player receives treatment and counseling for a first offense and no announcement is made . After a Pro Bowl season in 1993 season where Green achieved career highs in receptions ( 63 ) , yards ( 942 ) , and yards per reception ( 15 . 0 ) , Green chose to hold out at the beginning of the 1994 season . " I want to be compensated for what I ' ve done , but the Steelers weren ' t prepared to do that , " said the 290 - pound Green , the NFL ' s biggest tight end . With the ultimatum of either signing with the Steelers or miss the opening weekend game against the Dallas Cowboys , Green signed a one year , $ 1 . 4 million dollar contract on September 1 , 1994 . Green had rejected the Steelers earlier offer of a $ 10 million dollar contract and took the lower offer to ensure his right to free agency after the season . After back to back Pro Bowl seasons with the Steelers , Green became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 1994 NFL season . Miami Dolphins . On March 11 , 1995 , Green signed a six year , $ 12 million dollar contract with the Miami Dolphins . At the time of the signing , Green ' s contract made him the highest paid tight end in NFL history . Green had also visited with the Raiders prior to signing with the Dolphins , but they did not make him an offer . On July 9 , 1996 , Green was released from the Miami Dolphins . His weight problems and work ethic caused then - coach Jimmy Johnson to release Green from the team , which terminated his six year , $ 12 million dollar contract . Green attempted to collect his $ 1 . 5 million dollar salary by going to arbitration . He said that his knee injury was caused by jogging with the team at mini - camp , while the Dolphins said it occurred while jogging at home . Baltimore Ravens . Green worked out with the Ravens in late September 1996 and later announced that he and former Steelers teammate Bam Morris each signed two - year contracts with the team . New York Jets . Green finished his NFL career with the New York Jets . Of the 10 games that he played with the Jets organization , he started 7 games and caught 7 passes for 37 yards . Personal . Green was sued for unpaid child support for his 16 - year - old daughter Erica in Pittsburgh , reportedly owing over $ 200 , 000 . The court ruled that Green did not have to pay the $ 200 , 000 in back child support because he has little income and that he could even recover the $ 50 , 000 that he had placed in a college education fund