I Will Kill You: Jack Lambert Once Threatened

Lambert has been called the toughest player in the league’s history. He was a starting middle linebacker who helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls. He took pride in his ability to intimidate opponents. He was physical, aggressive, and determined to win. That meant that his intimidation could be turned on his teammates if necessary.

That intimidation didn’t start in Pittsburgh however, it began way before that. This was detailed by Jim Wexell in his book On The Clock. Wexell shared a story about Lambert during his time at Kent State University. Kent State has produced several iconic players, including another former tough-nosed Steelers linebacker, James Harrison.

When Lambert was there, he helped KSU win its first and only MAC Championship and score an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl (now the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl) in 1972. Lambert was the top talent on that team, but other well-known football names were on the roster, including legendary coach Nick Saban and Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel. Wexell stated they had played well that season and needed one more win to claim their first MAC title and to play in their first-ever bowl game.

The only thing standing in their way was their quarterback, Greg Kokal, who had broken a team rule and was set to be suspended. The coach did give Kokal a chance to accept a physical punishment instead of being suspended – he had to “run, roll, and crawl” the 100-yard field 100 times. Kokal turned down the offer and said he would take the punishment. That didn’t sit well with Lambert, who believed you took your lumps like a man and never let your team down.

The Golden Flashes won that final game against the Toledo Rockets, but would not win the bowl game. They played the Tampa Spartans, who got out to an early lead. Tampa beat KSU 21-18, despite Lambert being named lineman of the game.

Lambert, who played at KSU almost accidentally, would find himself purposefully in the NFL. He was selected in what is widely considered one of the best draft classes ever, the 1974 Steelers. During his 11 seasons in the NFL, Lambert was an All-Pro selection eight times and a Pro Bowler nine times. He also had 17 fumble recoveries, 28 interceptions, and eight sacks.

Steelers’ Jack Lambert Has Argued Against NFL Rule Changes

Numerous Black and Gold players have spoken out against the way the league makes changes regarding player safety. That included Lambert, who was asked his opinion by former Monday Night Football host Howard Cosell. Lambert suggested that the NFL protect quarterbacks by just putting them in dresses.

Lambert wasn’t the only Pittsburgh defender frustrated by the fines and penalties he accrued. Harrison was so upset that the game was changing before his eyes that he considered retiring. Harrison played like he was from Lambert’s era, but was born to play when concussions and other injuries were of mounting concern.

The looseness of the application of those rules seems to be the most frustrating to players today. There is little consistency in administering penalties or fines; what is legal in one game is illegal in another. Steelers’ Cameron Heyward has also pointed out that the league will demand changes for player safety, but not ban something like the fake slide or not care how close together games are scheduled.