Jack Lambert, one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, probably believes that QBs should now be wearing tu-tus instead of dresses: The toughest LB of all-time

… has mellowed over the years

"We're the Pittsburgh Steelers. We're supposed to be the intimidators."

As a father, Jack Lambert was a person who stressed the academics of his four children over athletics. However, when he was on the football field, arguably the greatest middle linebacker of all time, Lambert was the epitome of intensity and passion.

He was a linebacker’s linebacker, one of the best in NFL history. The NFL Hall of Fame called him the premier linebacker of his period. He was a man who took no guff, who played with intensity every minute that he was on the field.

To understand how good he was, look at his accomplishments in his 11 years as a Steeler. He was a starter on all Steeler Super Bowl teams of the 1970s and thus has four rings. He also made the pro bowl nine times.

A second-round pick in 1974 out of Kent State, he was voted as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season. He was voted to the first team all-pro six times and twice to the second team. He was named the NFL Defensive Player on two occasions, and he was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. He was also named to the all-decades teams for the 1970s and 1980s.

What did Lambert think about quarterbacks?

However, what he did not do is play patsy with quarterbacks. This is the text of the conversation he had on Monday Night Football when asked whether the NFL was right in attempting to protect quarterbacks.

Howard Cosell: Do you think that there should be any rules changes for the safety of the quarterback?

Jack Lambert: Well, it might be a good idea to put dresses on all of them. That might help a little bit.

In a later interview he said this about his comment, “But I meant it.”

It is a classic line, one repeated many times over the years — though his own QB, Terry Bradshaw, a pretty tough customer, did not care for it.

For young fans

Many fans today never had the opportunity to see Jack Lambert play for the Steelers. I have listed a number of You Tube videos that could help show why he was one of the most feared linebackers in history.

Seeing those videos will show just how intense he was and how hard he played. When he came out of Kent State, Lambert weighed just 200 pounds on his 6-foot, 4-inch frame. He tried to gain weight, to no avail. What he lacked in weight he made up for in intensity.

Jack the father of four

After leaving the NFL in 1984 after 11 seasons, Lambert pretty much disappeared from public view. That was by design because he was always a rather private person.

While playing for the Steelers, he married another outstanding athlete, a woman from suburban Pittsburgh whole he met in 1982, according to a 2004 bio written by Joe Starkey in the Tribune-Review. Lisa Lambert was the former Lisa Harrbison, a graduate of Plum High School who became an outstanding volleyball player at Clemson University. She was an All-ACC performer in 1980 and 1981 and then became the mother of two girls who competed in volleyball at Kittanning High School.

They bought a 125-acre farm where the children can appreciate the outdoors, as can the parents. Jack worked as a game warden, a volunteer position, and then volunteered to cut grass at the athletic fields in the Kittanning area and coached his sons in basketball and baseball.

He did not push his sons into football, which is probably good.

However, the quality that now defines Lambert is humility. He packed everything about his career and placed it in boxes in his basement, and does not attend Steeler games. When he attended his daughter’s volleyball games, he would not enter the gymnasium, but would watch from outside through a window, according to Starkey’s story.

Jack, the most ferocious linebacker of his time, is now a mellow, humble father of four children who now has some grandchildren, according to Lisa Lambert’s Facebook page.

You will not find Lambert out hawking products or doing any kind of public appearances other than card-signings. He probably put away enough money to live on for the rest of his life, and life is not extravagant.

What a guy!

Conclusion

Lambert's children said in Starkey's interview that their father said that the players were soft, not hard like they should be.

No doubt, after seeing the current rule protecting quarterbacks, Lambert probably thinks that the QBs should be wearing tu-tus.

Lambert’s highlight film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLmf2mjVzbI

Lambert’s hardest hits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVsCwMlUuCM

Lambert throwing Cliff Harris to the ground in Super Bowl X

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Bolt/Jack-Lambert-threw-Cliff-Harris-to-the-turf-41-years-ago-today-50647938/