Steelers legends Jack Lambert inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed two Pittsburgh Steelers legends, Franco Harris and Jack Lambert, to its ranks in the Class of 1990.
Lambert and Harris deliver Hall of Fame induction speeches: Watch the WTAE archive report from Aug. 4, 1990 in the video above
Fans traveled from all over the country, some driving from Iowa and others flying from California, to watch the ceremony where the four-time Super Bowl winners who helped build Pittsburgh’s dynasty of the 1970s were honored.
“We didn’t know at that time that we were building such a dream, but now the results are in,” Harris said.
“How fortunate I was to play for the Pittsburgh Steeler fans, a proud and hard-working people that love their football and their players,” Lambert said.
Beyond the cheers, behind the greats of the gridiron were their families, the people who helped mold them.
“I’m very happy, and God bless America for each player too,” Harris’ mother, Gina, told WTAE at the ceremony.
“My father’s not here to enjoy it with us, but I know he’s smiling from up there and he’s enjoying this day,” Harris said in his speech.
“I can still see my mom, late at night, down in the basement after a football game, scrubbing and soaking the dirt and grass stains out of my pretty, white football pants. Mom thought it was very important that her son have the whitest pants on the field,” Lambert said. “Thank you, Mom, for all those special little things you did for me that I will never forget.”
As Lambert recognized his wife and daughters in the crowd, he closed his speech by saying, “There, ladies and gentlemen, is my hall of fame. Thank you. God bless.”
He was ‘Dracula in Cleats’
On this day in Steelers history, Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert retired. Lambert actually called the Rooney family on July 8, his 33rd birthday, to alert them of his decision, but waited until July 11, 1985 to officially retire.
A look back at Lambert:
Jack Lambert was one of the most menacing linebackers ever to play in the NFL, known fondly as “Jack Splat” or “Dracula in Cleats.”
On this day in Steelers history, Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert retired. Lambert actually called the Rooney family on July 8, his 33rd birthday, to alert them of his decision, but waited until July 11, 1985 to officially retire.
A look back at Lambert:
Jack Lambert was one of the most menacing linebackers ever to play in the NFL, known fondly as “Jack Splat” or “Dracula in Cleats.”
When opposing players looked across the line, they would see the fierce look in his eyes, the intense glare, the missing teeth, and there were times they didn’t want to take the snap.
“We’re the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re supposed to be the intimidators,” Lambert once said.
When opposing players looked across the line, they would see the fierce look in his eyes, the intense glare, the missing teeth, and there were times they didn’t want to take the snap.
“We’re the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re supposed to be the intimidators,” Lambert once said.
And with Lambert leading the charge, they were.
Lambert didn’t take well to others trying to intimidate, and when it happened, there was a price to pay.
In Super Bowl X Cowboys’ safety Cliff Harris taunted Roy Gerela, patting him on the head following a missed field goal. Lambert didn’t like it and responded by body slamming Harris to the ground.
Remember this is the guy who said this in regards to protecting quarterbacks: “It might be a good idea to put dresses on all of them. That might help a little bit.”
Lambert, the Steelers second-round pick in the legendary 1974 draft class, was special right off the bat, winning the starting middle linebacker job his rookie year and holding on to it for his 11-year career.
He won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the year that season, and two years later was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and became known as one of the premier linebackers of his era, with a combination of intelligence, intensity, speed and range.
Lambert was named to nine straight Pro Bowls, was All-Pro eight times, and a team defensive captain for eight years. He played in six AFC Championship games and was a member of the Steelers four Super Bowl winning teams in the 1970s.
Lambert was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1990 and was an member of the Steelers initial Hall of Honor.
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