The Pittsburgh Steelers are celebrated for their history of producing exceptional defenders. At the forefront is linebacker Jack Lambert, a player of unparalleled ferocity. Lambert's unique blend of intelligence, speed, aggression, and durability was the driving force that elevated a good defense to the legendary Steel Curtain of the 1970s.
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Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, Joe Greene, and L.C. Greenwood formed the greatest defensive line of the Super Bowl era.
During his 11 seasons in the league, all in Black and Gold, Lambert helped the team win four Super Bowls. He was a six-time First Team All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. He was recognized for his significant contributions to football with a first-ballot induction to the NFL Hall of Fame.
While Steelers fans marveled at his toughness and terrifying demeanor, it has to be a different feeling when you're on the other side of the ball. Lambert played in an entirely different era. It isn't just the uniforms or the play-calling that has changed; the rulebook has been entirely overhauled. Lambert was frustrated in the '70s when the league started instituting quarterback protection rules. He is famous for suggesting we just "put quarterbacks in dresses."
Former New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan shared the story of the first time he faced Lambert. He said that was not your average welcome to the NFL moment. The year was 1976, and Grogan was excited to be starting. The game against Pittsburgh kept going back and forth with scoring. Grogan said the Steelers used to run their defense with their tackles spread way out, leaving Lambert in the middle of the field. He saw how the defense was lined up and decided to run a surprise play called the "Goose play."
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Before Tom Brady, Steve Grogan was the most durable New England Patriots QB.
Grogan shares the story in a book by Sean Deveney called Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. He said he would pinch the center to let them know they would run that surprise play.
"Because I was a good runner, the center would just go forward, and I would follow him; he would block Lambert, and we'd get a good gain. We were backed up on our 5-yard line, we were deep in our territory. They spread the tackles, so I called the Goose play, and we ran it and I got a first down out of it. Next play, we get up to the line of scrimmage and Lambert was not back in the middle, he was up at the line, almost leaning all the way over the center. He looks at me right in the eye, right across from my face, and says, 'If you do that play again, you blankety-blank, I am going to rip your head off!' That was my wake-up call, welcome to the NFL. They didn't play that defense again, so I didn't run that play again. But he was a little bit intimidating, wasn't he?"
The Patriots won that game, 30-27, but despite the win, Grogan said that was the best defense he ever played against. The Patriots finished their season 11-3. The Steelers went 10-4, but lost to the then-Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship. The Steelers should have seen the Patriots again in that championship game, but a questionable roughing the passer call cost New England the win.
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Former Steelers LB Jack Lambert scowls on the sideline.
Grogan had a solid career in New England, spending 16 seasons there. He was an unusual dual-threat quarterback for the time and was admired for his toughness. He helped the Patriots make it to Super Bowl XX, but they lost to the Chicago Bears.
Steelers' Jack Lambert Wasn't Grogan's Only Close Call
Grogan told Deveney that he spent his college years admiring and emulating Terry Bradshaw. When he finally got to play the Steelers, he felt a bit star-struck. He said the fans were "rabid" after winning two Super Bowls, and Three Rivers Stadium was a tough place to play.
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Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback, Terry Bradshaw (12) in action.
According to Grogan, the Patriots were lucky that day; many things went their way. But at one point, he fumbled the ball and had to dive to get it back. Of course, all the players were in a huge pile, and you had to disentangle yourself.
"I remember getting up and I turned around and bumped into L.C. Greenwood sort of after the play was over," recounted Grogan. "I remember him spitting at me. Right at me, no accident. I was a young guy, but I did not want to look like I was intimidated, so I went to spit back at him. But I had cottonmouth. I couldn't get anything out to spit back at him. I was too nervous. I was planning on being tough, but it just didn't happen."
Lambert, Greenwood, Dwight White, and Ernie Holmes were the members of the Steel Curtain, and in that 1976 season, they helped make magic. After a rocky 1-4 start to the season and the loss of Bradshaw, they managed to win six consecutive games with backup quarterback Mike Kruczek. While no one can take Kruczek's accomplishment away, the Steel Curtain is owed a debt of thanks. They recorded five shutouts, three in a row, and only allowed two touchdowns (both in the same game) and five field goals. The curtain would drop, and they allowed only an average of 3.1 points per game.
Do you remember the 1970s Steelers? What is your favorite Lambert memory/story? Click to comment below.
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