Jack Lambert (American football) facts for kids
Lambert in 1980
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| No. 58 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
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| Born: | July 8, 1952 Mantua, Ohio, U.S. |
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| 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 | ||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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John Harold Lambert (born July 8, 1952) is a famous American former football player. He played as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 years. The Pro Football Hall of Fame called him "the greatest linebacker of his era" in 1990.
Lambert was a key player on four Steelers teams that won the Super Bowl. He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes. In 2019, he was chosen for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, which honors the best players from the league's first 100 years.
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Early Life and College Football
Lambert was born on July 8, 1952, in Mantua, Ohio. He spent his summers working on his grandfather's farm. He went to Crestwood High School in Mantua. There, he played quarterback and cornerback on the football team. He was named an all-league cornerback and helped his team win a state championship. He also played baseball and basketball, showing he was a talented all-around athlete. Crestwood High School later named its football field Jack Lambert Stadium in his honor.
Lambert played college football at Kent State University from 1970 to 1973. He earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors twice as a linebacker. His coach, Don James, moved him from quarterback to defensive end, and then to middle linebacker in 1972. That year, Lambert led Kent State to its first MAC championship and was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year. He was even named MVP of the Tangerine Bowl (now Citrus Bowl) in December 1972.
During his college years, Lambert grew stronger. He weighed 187 pounds as a freshman and reached 217 pounds by his senior year. He was a team captain in 1973. In 1981, Lambert was inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in 1988. Kent State now gives out the Jack Lambert Cup each year to the most improved defensive player.
Professional Football Career
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Lambert in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft. Many football experts thought he was too small to be a linebacker in the NFL. Even though he was listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 220 pounds during his career, he was actually a bit smaller as a rookie.
Lambert became a perfect fit for a new defensive strategy called the "Tampa Two" defense. This defense used the middle linebacker in a new way, having them drop back to cover the middle of the field. Lambert's size, speed, and skills made him excellent at this new role. He was known for covering tight ends and running backs, which was unusual for a middle linebacker at the time.
Lambert got his chance when the Steelers' starting middle linebacker, Henry Davis, got injured. Lambert quickly proved himself, earning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in his first season. He was a key part of the Steelers' strong defense that won their first Super Bowl (Super Bowl IX) by beating the Minnesota Vikings 16–6. That Steelers team had five rookies who would later become Hall of Fame players, including Lambert. He led the Steelers in tackles almost every season and was voted team MVP twice.
In 1975, the Steelers won Super Bowl X in a tough game against the Dallas Cowboys. Lambert's fierce playing style helped the Steelers come back to win. When a Cowboys player taunted a Steelers teammate, Lambert stood up for his friend, inspiring the whole team. After that moment, the Steelers played much better and won the game. Lambert made 14 tackles in that Super Bowl.
Lambert was known for hitting hard and intimidating his opponents. People called him "Jack Splat" and "Dracula in Cleats." He was the Steelers' main middle linebacker for eight seasons. He was also the team's defensive signal-caller, meaning he told his teammates what plays to run on defense. Lambert averaged 146 tackles per season for his first ten years. He missed only six games in those ten years.
Lambert had 28 career interceptions and 1,479 career tackles. He was named to nine straight Pro Bowls and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year once. He was also named All-Pro eight times.
Lambert famously lost his four upper front teeth during a high school basketball practice. He had a fake set of teeth he wore in public, but he didn't wear them during games. Pictures of Lambert's toothless snarl became a famous image of the Steelers' tough defense.
In 1976, Lambert became the leader of the Steelers' defense. The team struggled early in the season, but Lambert gathered the players and told them they had to win every game to make the playoffs. The Steelers defense then played incredibly well, allowing very few points and winning all their remaining games. This defense was one of the best in NFL history. Eight of the eleven defensive starters made the Pro Bowl that year, including all three starting linebackers. Lambert was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.
The Steelers continued their success, winning Super Bowl XIII against Dallas and Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams. Lambert made a key interception in the Super Bowl XIV victory. During his career, Lambert played in six AFC championship games and won four Super Bowls. He retired after the 1984 season due to an injury.
Personal Life
Lambert wore the jersey number 00 in high school. Crestwood High School retired his number and named their football field Jack Lambert Stadium. Kent State also retired his college number, 99.
Lambert married Lisa Harbison in 1988. She was a volleyball player for Clemson University. They have four children together.
Lambert is a very private person. He rarely attends public events related to football. He has only been to one Steelers game since he retired, which was when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He lives in Worthington, Pennsylvania with his family.
Broadcasting Career
After retiring from playing, Lambert worked as a football analyst. He was part of the NFL on Westwood One radio broadcasts from 1986 to 1994. He also appeared as a guest commentator on the NFL Network and has been a contributor for the Sports Broadcasting Network.
Honors and Legacy
Lambert was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2019, he was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in NFL history. The Athletic named him the 37th greatest player of all time in 2021, and The Sporting News listed him as the 30th greatest player of all time in 1999. He was also named to both the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
In 2017, he was one of the first members inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor. In 2007, Lambert was voted onto the Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary team.
The Fox Sports Net series The Sports List named Lambert the toughest football player of all time in 2004. NFL Network's show, NFL Top 10, called him the number 8 "Most Feared Tackler" and the number 5 "Pittsburgh Steeler" of all time.
From 1991 to 2018, the Jack Lambert Trophy was an award given each year to the best college linebacker in America.
Lambert's jersey number, 58, is unofficially retired by the Steelers. This means no other player has worn it since he retired, even though the team has only officially retired three numbers. Lambert is still very popular among Steeler fans. Many consider him one of the most feared defenders ever. His private life after retirement has added to his legendary status.
Images for kids
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Lambert with the Steelers in 1975
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Display at Acrisure Stadium honoring four Hall of Fame players, including Lambert's on the far right side
See also
In Spanish: Jack Lambert para niños
