Jack Lambert (American football) facts for kids
Lambert in 1980
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| No. 58 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| 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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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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John Harold Lambert (born July 8, 1952) is a former American football player. He was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL) for his entire 11-year career. Many people consider him one of the best linebackers ever.
Lambert was a key player on the famous Steelers defense of the 1970s. He helped the team win four Super Bowl championships. His intense and tough style of play made him a feared opponent. In 1990, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and School Sports
Lambert was born in Mantua, Ohio, on July 8, 1952. Growing up, he worked on his grandfather's farm. He went to Crestwood High School, where he was a star athlete in three sports. He played quarterback and cornerback in football, catcher in baseball, and was a top player in basketball.
A famous part of Lambert's image is his missing front teeth. He lost four of his upper front teeth during a high school basketball practice. A teammate's head accidentally hit him in the mouth. He had a removable piece with fake teeth to wear in public, but he never wore it during games. Pictures of him snarling without his teeth became a symbol of the tough Steelers defense.
College Football Career
Lambert played college football for Kent State University from 1970 to 1973. He started as a defensive end but was moved to middle linebacker in 1972. This change was a great success. He led Kent State to a conference championship and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
During his time at Kent State, he played with future famous coaches Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel. Lambert was known for his speed and skill. He was inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame in 1981.
A Legendary NFL Career
Joining the Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Lambert in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft. At the time, many coaches thought he was too small to be a linebacker in the NFL. He weighed only about 204 pounds as a rookie. However, Lambert quickly proved them wrong.
When the Steelers' starting middle linebacker got injured, Lambert stepped in. He played so well that he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. That year, the Steelers won their first-ever Super Bowl, Super Bowl IX. Lambert was part of an amazing rookie class that included four other future Hall of Fame players.
The Heart of the Defense
Lambert was perfect for the Steelers' defensive style. He was fast enough to cover receivers and smart enough to read the other team's plays. He became the leader of the defense, known for his hard hits and intimidating presence. His nicknames included "Jack Splat" and "Dracula in Cleats."
In Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys, the Steelers were losing. Lambert fired up his team by defending a teammate who was being taunted. After that, the Steelers came back to win the game. Lambert had 14 tackles in that Super Bowl.
The 1976 Season
The 1976 season showed Lambert's leadership. The Steelers started with a poor 1-4 record because many star players were injured. Lambert called a "players only" meeting and told his teammates they had to win every game from then on to make the playoffs.
What happened next was incredible. Over the next nine games, the Steelers' defense allowed only two touchdowns and 28 total points. They had five shutouts (games where the other team scores zero points). The Steelers won all nine games and made the playoffs. Lambert was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for his amazing performance.
More Super Bowls and Retirement
Lambert and the Steelers went on to win two more championships: Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. In Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams, he made a key interception late in the game to help secure the victory.
Over his career, Lambert played in six AFC Championship Games and won four Super Bowls. He was selected for the Pro Bowl nine times in a row. He recorded 1,479 tackles and 28 interceptions. A severe toe injury forced him to retire after the 1984 season.
Life After Football
After retiring, Lambert worked for a time as a radio analyst for football games. However, he has mostly chosen to live a very private life away from the public eye. He lives with his family in Worthington, Pennsylvania.
He rarely makes public appearances. He has only attended two Steelers games since he retired: one for his Hall of Fame introduction and the other for the final game at Three Rivers Stadium.
Legacy and Honors
Jack Lambert is remembered as one of the greatest and toughest players in NFL history.
- He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
- He was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
- The Sporting News ranked him as the 30th greatest player of all time.
- Fox Sports Net named him the toughest football player of all time.
The Steelers have not officially retired his jersey number, 58. However, out of respect, no player has been issued the number since he retired. Lambert's intense style and his quiet life after football have made him a legendary figure for Steelers fans.
See also
In Spanish: Jack Lambert para niños
