Jack Lambert (American football)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1974 -1984)
- 9 × Pro Bowl selection ( 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)
- 8 × All-Pro selection (1975, 1976, 1978 - 1983)
- 4 × Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV )
- NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team
- NFL 1980s All- Decade Team ( second team)
- NFL 1970s All- Decade Team
- 1974 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
- 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 20/20 Club
John Harold "Jack" Lambert ( born July 8, 1952 in Mantua, Ohio, USA) is an American former American football player. He played as a linebacker in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
High School / College
Lambert attended Crestwood High School. He played there as a quarterback, later moved to the College on the position of a middle linebacker after he had played in the first year on the Kent State University still on the position of a defensive end. Even in high school he lost in a basketball game four incisors of the upper jaw with an elbow check. The four missing teeth later became his trademark.
Lambert was player of the Kent State Golden Flashes, the football team of the College, which celebrated with him as a player in 1972 their biggest success to date. Since the team was able to win the Mid- American Conference, the team was able to move into the Tangerine Bowl. There is, however, had to be narrowly beaten the team from the University of Tampa with 21:18. In this game, Lambert fell to the Scouts of the NFL, who should be watching his teammates Gerald Tinker and two opponents.
Professional career
Lambert in 1974 pulled in the second round of the draft by the Steelers to 46 point. The obligation of Lambert also met with criticism. With 190 cm height and 98 kg body weight, he was considered for a defender too easily and too small. It was to prove that he compensated this alleged shortcoming by speed, agility and tenacity again.
The year 1974 brought numerous obligations that would later prove to be lucky handles for the Steelers. In addition to wide receiver Lynn Swann Lambert and John Stallworth, and Mike Webster Center could be committed. Numerous other later members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as the running back Franco Harris and quarterback Terry Bradshaw already played for the team from Pittsburgh. The Steelers developed into one of the game determined teams of the 70s.
Lambert replaced with the Steelers Henry Davis, who in 1973 ended his career. Already in his first year succeeded the Steelers under coach Chuck Noll of the way into the Super Bowl, you could win against the Minnesota Vikings with 16:6. Lambert developed in the defense alongside Joe Greene as one of the top performers. Since numerous exceptional player and later members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the cornerback Mel Blount or linebacker Jack Ham played in the defense of the Steelers and it was therefore difficult to overcome, she got through the press of Pittsburgh nickname: Steel curtain ( curtain of steel ). In particular, in the 1976 season, the defense made her nickname all honor. Due to the loss of Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann due to injuries, walked four of the first five games lost in the regular season. The team found themselves without their coach in a meeting together, in the Lambert called on his teammates to greater motivation and demanded that all other games would be won if you still wanted to move into the play -offs. This requirement could be the team to put into practice - all of the following nine games were won. The defense of the Steelers only allowed for two touchdowns, eight of the 11 starting players were subsequently elected to the Pro Bowl.
The first track of 1974 was followed by other championship wins. The Super Bowl X was won against the Dallas Cowboys with 21:17, which could be defeated again with 35:31 in Super Bowl XIII. A year later, in Super Bowl XIV, the Los Angeles Rams were then conquered by 31:19.
Lambert had to end his career in 1984 due to a toe injury. He was able to achieve 23.5 Sacks (the number is unofficial, because until 1982 no statistical took place ), including the first sack the quarterback John Elway early in his career with the Denver Broncos in the first season game in 1983 had to endure.
Honors
Lambert has received numerous honors. He is a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team, NFL 1970s All- in Decade team in the NFL 1980s All- Decade Team and since 1990 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1974, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He played nine times in the Pro Bowl, the season final game of the best players of a game round. Eight times he was elected to the All- Pro.
Private
Lambert is married and has four children. He lives in Worthington, Pennsylvania, is engaged as honorary rangers and trained young people in baseball and basketball game.