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Jack Lambert (American football)

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Jack Lambert
refer to caption
Lambert in 1980
No. 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1952-07-08) July 8, 1952 (age 72)
Mantua, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Crestwood (Mantua, Ohio)
College:Kent State (1971–1973)
NFL draft:1974 / round: 2 / pick: 46
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:1,479[1]
Sacks:8[1]
Interceptions:28
Interception yards:243
Fumble recoveries:17
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame

John Harold Lambert (born July 8, 1952) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for his entire 11-year career for Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 as "the greatest linebacker of his era," Lambert was the starting middle linebacker on four Super Bowl-winning teams with the Steelers.[2] He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes. In 2019, he was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Early life and college

[edit]

Lambert was born on July 8, 1952,[3] in Mantua, Ohio.[4] He is also reported as being born in Ravenna, Ohio.[3][5] He would work on his grandfather's farm during the summers.[6] He attended Crestwood High School in Mantua. He played quarterback and cornerback on the football team, making all-league at cornerback, and winning a state championship. He also played baseball (catcher) and basketball (averaging 17.9 points and 13 rebounds a game as senior). The school has since named its football field Jack Lambert Stadium.[3][2][7][8][6]

He played football at Kent State University (1970-73), winning two first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) linebacker honors. Don James was his head coach. Lambert was originally a quarterback, then moved to defensive end, and in 1972 James moved him to middle linebacker.[3] He led Kent State to its first MAC championship that year, and was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year. Even though Kent State lost to the University of Tampa in the Tangerine Bowl (now Citrus Bowl) in December 1972, Lambert was named the game's MVP.[3][9] He captained the 1973 team.[3]

In 1973, he was selected to play in the All-Ohio Shrine game and in 1974, the North-South game and the American Bowl.[3] As a freshman, Lambert came in weighing 187 pounds, got up to 217 during his senior year, but after the season was over, came down to 203 pounds.[6] Alabama football coach Nick Saban and former Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel were his teammates.[10] During his college career, he was originally going to study to become a veterinarian.[citation needed]

In 1981, Lambert was inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame.[3] In 1988, he was inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame.[5] Kent State awards the Jack Lambert Cup annually to the most improved player on defense.[11]

Professional career

[edit]
Lambert with the Steelers in 1975

Lambert was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft,[3] though many pro football coaches and scouts thought he was too small to play linebacker in the NFL.[12] (Lambert played quarterback at Crestwood HS before switching to defensive end at Kent State.) While most of his pro career he was reported to be 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg) in the program,[13] he measured 6 feet 3+1⁄2 inches (1.918 m) and 204 pounds (93 kg) as a rookie. As a high school senior, he was 6 ft 3½ in and 170 pounds (77kg),[6] and was 203 pounds (92 kg) at the end of college.[6]

Lambert was the prototypical middle linebacker for what became the Tampa Two defense. That defense, developed under Tony Dungy, has its origins with Bud Carson, who was the Steelers defensive coordinator from 1972-1977.[14] In Carson's "Double-Rotating Zone"/Cover-2 defense, the safeties played back in a two-deep zone and the corner-backs played in two shallow zones or in bump-and-run coverage, instead of having the middle linebacker close to the line in run support, had the middle linebacker drop back into a middle zone to cover the seam between the safeties. Middle linebackers had not been tasked in such a way previously (Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke being the epitomes of the run-support middle linebacker), but Lambert's size, speed, and talents facilitated the new role.[15][16][17] Early on, Carson had Lambert covering tight ends and the first back out of the backfield (unique at the time for a middle linebacker), and calling defensive play changes to match what the offense would call.[6]

The Steelers took a chance on Lambert when he replaced injured middle linebacker Henry Davis.[6] Lambert went on to earn the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award[2] as a central figure on a great Steeler defense that went on to win their first Super Bowl by beating the Minnesota Vikings 16–6 in Super Bowl IX.[18][19] That Steelers team included five rookies who would be future hall of fame players (including Lambert).[20] He would lead the Steelers in tackles every season but his last, and would be voted team MVP twice.[15]

In 1975, future hall of fame defensive tackle Joe Greene suffered from groin and nerve injuries and missed all or part of five regular season games; even considering retirement.[21][22][23] Lambert was first-team All-Conference and second-team All-Pro that year.[24] Greene was unable to play in the AFC divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Colts or the in the AFC championship game against the Oakland Raiders.[25] The Steelers defeated the Colts. In the championship game, Lambert was all over the field, recovering a record three fumbles in the Steelers' victory.[26][21][25] The Steelers then went on to win Super Bowl X in a hard-fought game against the Dallas Cowboys. Lambert's intensity was a key factor in the Steelers coming back to win against the Cowboys. The Steelers were behind in the third quarter (10–7) and not playing with their usual confidence, when Lambert inspired the team by standing up for a teammate who was being taunted after missing a field goal, slamming the Cowboy player to the ground. They outscored the Cowboys 14–7 after that point and won the game.[27][28]

Lambert prided himself on his ability to hit hard and intimidate the opposition.[29] His intensity was a key factor in the Steelers coming back to win Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys.[19] He was the Steelers starting middle linebacker for eight seasons when the team primarily used the 4–3 defense and right inside linebacker for three seasons after the Steelers switched to the 3–4 defense, with Loren Toews being the regular starter at the other inside linebacker position late in Lambert's career[30][31] though Lambert retained the "Mike" role as the team's signal-caller on defense. According to Steelers media guides,[citation needed] Lambert averaged 146 tackles per season through his 10th year.[32] He recorded only 19 in his 11th and final season because of an injury.

Lambert amassed 28 career interceptions, 1,479 career tackles (1,045 solo),[citation needed] and (unofficially) 23.5 sacks.[30] In a nine-year span, Jack Lambert was named to nine straight Pro Bowls and was NFL Defensive Player of the Year once.[2] He was named All-Pro eight times, and was a defensive team captain in eight seasons.[13][33]

Display at Acrisure Stadium commemorating the careers of four Hall of Fame inductees, including Lambert's on the far right side

Lambert lost his four upper front teeth during high school basketball practice when a teammate’s head collided with Lambert's mouth.[6] Although he had a removable partial denture he wore in public, he did not wear it during games,[34] and pictures of Lambert's toothless snarl became an iconic image of the famous Steeler defense.[12]

In 1976, Lambert assumed the role as leader of the Steelers after star defensive tackle "Mean Joe" Greene missed several games due to a chronic back injury.[citation needed] (Other sources indicate that Greene played in all 14 games in the 1976 season, after missing games to injury in 1975.[35][36]) After quarterback Terry Bradshaw, receiver Lynn Swann and several other starters went down with injuries,[citation needed] the Steelers struggled to a 1–4 record. (Other sources state that Bradshaw was injured in game 5 against the Cleveland Browns when hit by Joe "Turkey" Jones, and missed games after that, with only three starts the rest of the season.[37][38][39][40])

At a "players only" meeting, Lambert made it clear that "the only way we are going to the playoffs to defend our title is to win them all from here out."[This quote needs a citation] In a remarkable nine-game span, the Steelers defense allowed only two touchdowns and a total of 28 points, including five shutouts. The Steelers won all of these games and finished at 10–4.[41][42] The defense gave up only a record low 138 points for the entire season, and allowed the fewest yards.[43] Eight of the eleven defensive starters on the Steelers made the Pro Bowl that year.[44] In a first, all three of the Steelers starting linebackers (Lambert, Jack Ham and Andy Russell), were named Pro Bowl starters.[19] Lambert was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.[45]

During the 1984 season, a severe and recurring case of turf toe sidelined him, after which he retired.[12][46]

Personal life

[edit]

Lambert wore the jersey number 00 while playing at Crestwood High School. The school retired the 00 jersey and dedicated their football field to Lambert, naming it Jack Lambert Stadium on October 10, 1980.[47][48][3] His number 99 was retired by Kent State in May 1977.[5]

Lambert married his wife, Lisa Harbison, a former volleyball player for Clemson University, in 1988. Together, they have four children.[49]

Lambert is very private. Once, when asked by a sports reporter if he thought his parents' divorce as a small child affected him, Lambert replied, "'I'm sure it did ... but I don't think it's the business of readers of The Pittsburgh Press.'"[6] He can rarely be seen in memorabilia signings in Pittsburgh and has only attended one Steeler game following his retirement, that being when he was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[50] He currently lives in Worthington, Pennsylvania with his family.[49]

Broadcasting career

[edit]

Lambert was a member of the NFL on Westwood One as an analyst from 1986 until 1994. He has also been a guest commentator on the NFL Network from 1995 until 2002 and has served as a contributor for the Sports Broadcasting Network since 2003.[51]

Honors

[edit]

Lambert was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.[2] In 2019, Lambert was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[52] In 2021, The Athletic named him the 37th greatest player of all time.[12] In 1999, The Sporting News listed Lambert as the 30th greatest player of all time.[53] Lambert was named to both the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.[54]

He was an inaugural member of the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2017.[13] In 2007, Lambert was voted to the Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary team.[15]

In 2004, the Fox Sports Net series The Sports List named Lambert as the toughest football player of all time.[33] NFL Network's countdown show, NFL Top 10, named Lambert the number 8 "Most Feared Tackler" and the number 5 "Pittsburgh Steeler" of all time.[citation needed]

From 1991 to 2018, the Jack Lambert Trophy was an annual award given by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to the top American collegiate linebacker.[55]

Lambert's number, 58, is one of many jersey numbers "unofficially retired" by the team. The Steelers have only retired three jersey numbers: 70, 75 and 32, worn by Ernie Stautner, Joe Greene and Franco Harris respectively.[56]). Lambert's jersey number has perhaps gotten the most attention out of all jersey numbers not officially retired. When Lambert retired, he reportedly told the equipment manager that he was not to issue number 58 again. Lambert later fought with the equipment manager outside of the facility because of a misunderstanding about his number.[citation needed]

Lambert remains popular among Steeler fans and was arguably the most feared defender on the team despite the fact that some have regarded Jack Ham as a better outside linebacker than Lambert as a middle linebacker during the Steelers dominance of the 1970s.[citation needed] This has been attributed to Lambert looking directly at the quarterback and vice versa before the start of plays.[citation needed][57] Ham himself considers Lambert the greatest linebacker ever.[58] Adding to his mystique has been Lambert's reclusiveness in retirement; aside from his Hall of Fame induction and the Steelers last game at Three Rivers Stadium, Lambert has rarely made any public appearances related to football, preferring to live a private life.[59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Jack Lambert | PSA AutographFacts". Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Jack Lambert | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Jack Lambert (1981) - Hall of Fame". Kent State Golden Flashes. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  4. ^ "Hall of Fame Today trivia". Canton Repository. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Jack Lambert (1988) - Hall of Fame". getsomemaction.com. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Zimmerman, Paul (July 30, 1984). "A Rose By Any Other Name". Sports Illustrated.
  7. ^ "Jack Lambert Stadium - Mantua, Ohio". ohiostadiums.com. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  8. ^ Writer, Staff. "NFL Hall of Famer Jack Lambert sent special letter to Crestwood football team". Record-Courier. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  9. ^ "Citrus Bowl History". Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. November 30, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  10. ^ "Kent State Football to Square off Against Alabama in 2011: Kent State University Athletics". Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Football Hands Out Spring Awards; Names Captains". Kent State Golden Flashes. May 1, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Staff, The Athletic NFL. "The NFL 100: From Derrick Brooks to Tom Brady, The Athletic finds the best players in football history". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com". www.steelers.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  14. ^ "Bud Carson Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "Steelers Dream Team". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  16. ^ "Founders? Steelers Get Dragged Into Wild NFL Rant". Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. September 20, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  17. ^ Schalter, Ty. "Football 101: Breaking Down the Cover 2 Defense". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl IX - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings - January 12th, 1975". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Dave Anderson". The New York Times. January 20, 1976. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  20. ^ "Steelers celebrate 50th anniversary of first Super Bowl: 50 facts about Pittsburgh's 1974 championship team". CBSSports.com. October 18, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season part III". www.steelersuk.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  22. ^ "Blowout win comes at a cost". www.steelers.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  23. ^ "Joe Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  24. ^ "1975 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Steelers 'ice' Raiders for AFC title". www.steelers.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  26. ^ "AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 4th, 1976". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  27. ^ "Dave Anderson". The New York Times. January 20, 1976. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  28. ^ Staff, The Athletic NFL. "The NFL 100: From Derrick Brooks to Tom Brady, The Athletic finds the best players in football history". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  29. ^ Calderone, Tony (September 2, 2023). "Cris Collinsworth Recalls Why He Had A 'Big Smile' After Being Hit By Jack Lambert". Steelers Depot. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Jack Lambert Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  31. ^ "Loren Toews Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  32. ^ Jenkins, T. J. "A Blast From the Past: Jack Lambert". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  33. ^ a b Young, Chris. "Pittsburgh Steelers: All-Time Franchise Team". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  34. ^ "Time running out for bidding on auction of Jack Lambert's false teeth container". Yahoo News. April 1, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  35. ^ "Joe Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  36. ^ "Blowout win comes at a cost". www.steelers.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  37. ^ "Blowout win comes at a cost". www.steelers.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  38. ^ Flaherty, Dan (November 4, 2021). "1976 Pittsburgh Steelers: A Three-Peat Bid Derailed By Injuries". OUAT Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  39. ^ Rich Exner, cleveland com (November 26, 2019). "The day Joe "Turkey" Jones upended Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw and what else happened in the game: Browns Flashback". cleveland. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  40. ^ "Terry Bradshaw Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  41. ^ Flaherty, Dan (November 4, 2021). "1976 Pittsburgh Steelers: A Three-Peat Bid Derailed By Injuries". OUAT Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  42. ^ "ESPN.com - Page2 - The List: Best NFL defense of all-time". www.espn.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  43. ^ "1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  44. ^ "1976 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  45. ^ "AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  46. ^ "Jack Lambert nearly ejected from game vs. Browns in 1978". 247Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  47. ^ "Jack Lambert Stadium - Mantua, Ohio".
  48. ^ Crestwood High School yearbook, 1981
  49. ^ a b Starkey, Joe (April 3, 2005). "Jack Lambert's children live the sporting life in Worthington". www.tribliveoffers.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  50. ^ Melody, Tom (July 26, 1999). "Former Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert loving life". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  51. ^ "Jack Lambert NFL Player: A Living Football Legend". December 7, 2023.
  52. ^ "NFL 100". NFL.com. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  53. ^ "The Sporting News 100 Greatest Players of All-Time". Future Football Legends. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  54. ^ "NFL's All-Decade Teams | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  55. ^ "Kentucky's Allen wins Jack Lambert Award". NFL Draft On SI. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  56. ^ Brown, Scott (July 30, 2014). "Greene's No. 75 to be retired by Steelers". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  57. ^ YouTube [dead link‍]
  58. ^ STARKEY, JOE. "Would Hall of Famer Jack Ham really be a backup in today's NFL?". York Dispatch. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  59. ^ Simers, T. J. (January 22, 1996). "Curtain Calls? : Well, No, Lambert Prefers a Small-Town Life Devoid of Talk of Steeler Past". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
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