He played college football at Long Beach City before transferring to TCU and was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the fourth round of the 1983 NFL draft.
Townsend was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the fourth round of the 1983 NFL draft.
He scored a touchdown in his third career game on September 19 against the Miami Dolphins on a fumble recovery.
He also got a suspension for his actions in joining a brawl on October 5, 1986, against the Kansas City Chiefs.
He received recognition in 1990 when he recorded 12.5 sacks and was named to his first Pro Bowl to go along with an All-Pro second-team selection.
[8][9][10] His son, Greg Townsend Jr., played defensive end at USC and was signed as an undrafted free agent with Oakland Raiders.