" You dam well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler " says it all.

This was back when I was proud to be an NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. These guys were REAL football players

The Clint Eastwood of the nfl.

@dalebeckett4796

3 жыл бұрын

Great analogy! Two total badasses!

@shawnsmith5763

3 жыл бұрын

And nooo he wasn't Dirty

@letsgojake.4078

2 жыл бұрын

Imagine someone smoking cigarettes on the sideline today.

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

Or John Wayne.

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

@@shawnsmith5763 No, he played like EVERYONE in the league played back then.

This is quite arguably the greatest hall of fame speech of all time. Eloquent, concise, and humble. Expressing such pride in his owner, his team, his city, and it's people. He knew exactly what to say to get the crowd cheering, and he thanked EVERYONE, including the little guys like the team's equipment managers. Jack Lambert seems like the ultimate Steeler.

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

I think people attribute the hardnose defense to Joe Greene, when it was Lambert who set that tone. Linebackers have always been tough since then and they have a lot to live up to. Those 70s guys luckily set a high goal post. Watt will be up there some day. Cam Heyward too, I hope.

@gc033

2 жыл бұрын

Very well put. JACK LAMBERT #58 forever 🟡⚫️🟡⚫️🟡⚫️

@2112666123

2 жыл бұрын

He was a class act kids of today should get to know him some never heard of him “ I remember somebody said he was so mean on the field he didn’t even like himself “”” NFL FILMS I THINK

@theraven3481

2 жыл бұрын

@@CapoKies well.......your somewhat right

@bjpsw1970

2 жыл бұрын

@@CapoKies true steeler in all forms. His and Polamalu`s HOF speech are my favorities of any steeler player.

American by birth. Steelers Fan by the grace of God

Jack Lambert was the heart of those great Steelers teams; Joe Greene was the soul.

@fngaming5064

3 жыл бұрын

Richard Costa so true.

@Toppradd

3 жыл бұрын

And on Offense - the heart was Franco n Soul was Rocky ...

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

@@Toppradd I would say the heart was Rocky. Vet. Little guy. Played tough as nails.

@pawadventures5544

2 жыл бұрын

@@Toppradd I'm going with Rocky for the heart. On Aug. 20 1969 while on patrol Rocky took a enemy rifle round to the left thigh and shrapnel from a grenade to the lower right leg, he lost part of his right foot. Doctors told him he could never play football again.

@theraven3481

2 жыл бұрын

Very very very well put

My favorite player of all time.

I'm a die hard Cleveland Browns fan, but my favorite player of all time is Jack Lambert. The toughest guy I've ever seen playing football. That was a hell of a speech Jack.

@letsgojake.4078

2 жыл бұрын

Damn. Thats something.

@jimpizza6518

2 жыл бұрын

Same here.....66 yrs. old......Jack Lambert .....Nothing else to say ! .........Stay Browns! ....ET

@johnmatzye6633

2 жыл бұрын

He did grew up as a Browns fan. Collected autographs of the players of the Browns in the 60's- which he still has. I feel like a hippocrate- being a Browns - I got his autograph.

@E4create

Жыл бұрын

Big respect 🙏🏼🖤💛

@E4create

Жыл бұрын

@@johnmatzye6633 yeah he's from Ohio so that was probably his team, but the way our cities have been the foundation America's favorite sport, says a lot . Gotta love PA/OH football and even the surrounding states

Jack Lambert wasn't one of the greats because he was tough or because he was crazy on the field. He was one of the greats because he was SMART. That's reflected in this thoughtful, intelligent speech.

@latkagravas986

Жыл бұрын

Yep, Im a 55yr old Raiderhead fan and you said it! Indeed. He sounds so Smart and Proper ----when I thought their be a growl in his speech. Loved him!...those NFL Films dont did not show the elogquence of speech in his voice.

@willd7582

Жыл бұрын

It was all of things actually

@p.j.4738

Жыл бұрын

Excellent point!!!!

@bigtuna5334

5 ай бұрын

I am a Butkus fan..!! But you hit it right on the head, he was SMART AND A BAD ASS MOTHER FUCKER

@Billy-ml1si

4 ай бұрын

R U in the football hall of FAME like MOE of the 3 stooges said SHUT UP YOU

Very few NFL players of today deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with Jack Lambert and the football stars from his era.

at only 218 lbs, he was able to deliver such power...pound for pound the hardest hitting lb in history

The absolute best line in any Hall of Fame speech 07:35.

And THAT GUY ,is the #1 reason why I LOVE THE STEELERS today!!! More than 40 yrs after 1st watching Jack lay people out, he is STILL my #1 greatest Steeler of all time!!! Thank you Mr. Lambert for all you did for the Black n Gold!

@ericsnow3700

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with ya'll lambert was the heart, Green was the soul. But Ham was the destructive instagator of the Curtain.

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. I still love Hines, The Bus, Peezy, James, HEATH, Brett Keisel, Farrior, Troy and Ben the most (Because he never gets the respect he deserves. Like being called a third tier QB after starting 11-0 and throwing 33TDs to 11INTs just last year.) With absolutely the worst run game I have ever seen the Steelers have. From my generation. But damn, those guys in the 70s made the NFL what it is today. They boosted revenue and revived a whole city simply by playing tough and winning.

@E4create

Жыл бұрын

He's probably a huge part of why I love the game the way I do. I just pictured myself being Jack, or playing with a guy/ on a stage like that. He's a true legend

@jimmycruz2879

Жыл бұрын

THIS MAN KNOWS WHAT STEELER FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT THANK U MR LAMBERT , AND U DAM BETTER BELIEVE I'D BE A PITTSBURGH STEELER AWESOME

I know all about how they say today's NFL players are bigger, stronger, and faster than yesteryear's players but I would put that Steel Curtain defense of the 70's up against ANY defense I've ever seen.

@chazzkramer7676

Жыл бұрын

Let them get hit by Jack, just once. As he would say, "That'll cool your ass down".

as a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Jack Lambert is my favorite

@jaydee0187

4 ай бұрын

As a die hard Detroit Lions fan,I can say Jacks my favorite player ever except for maybe Barry Sanders

@Ken_Weber_organist

4 ай бұрын

@@jaydee0187 hmmm, if you said Jack Lambert was your favorite, I would assume you are a greater fan of DEFENSES, in which case I would have thought your favorite (a Lion) player ever would be "Nightrain" Lane

#58 should definitely be retired by the Steelers. Hell.. everytime I see ANY #58 .. I think of this man .

@violator791

3 жыл бұрын

It unofficially is. To date nobody has ever worn #58 for the Steelers since he did. Legend has it that Lambert will not allow it.

"you damn well better believe, I'd be a Pittsburgh Steeler..."

@sandranorman5469

3 жыл бұрын

🥲🥲🥲

@NM-vw1fl

2 жыл бұрын

Makes me tear up and I’m not even a Steelers fan. Imagine belonging to something that great.

@ndmich88

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely makes me cry every time

My top three favorites steelers of the 70s are Jack Lambert ,Mel Blount ,Mean Joe Greene

Thank you Jack. For everything.

“The Greatest Defense Ever Assembled” Amen Jack Amen ...

@ericmatterson9905

3 жыл бұрын

What about the 85 Bears or 2000 Ravens?

@Toppradd

3 жыл бұрын

Up there with elites..yes. But not the Steel Curtain !

@hardcorehouse

2 жыл бұрын

'76 Steeler D, as pointed out by Paul Zimmerman. Never had the Bears hype but with better backers and DBs

Greatest ffffinnnggg linebacker of all!!!!

At 61 when I'm having a bad start to my day. I listen to this speech and remember his career. Then I'm 18 again!

One of the greatest linebackers ever to play the game and one of the smartest.

I never knew that Mr. Jack Lambert was so eloquent in his speech read that he studied to be veterinarian. Excellent speech well done!

# 58. Jack Lambert. My favorite football player of all time.

My all time favorite Pittsburgh Steeler.

My favorite Steeler of all time...I can still see his gap-toothed scowl when getting in position on the defense before the snap...so many great Steelers from that era...the Steel Curtain will never be forgotten.

Hes simply the greatest linebacker in Pittsburgh history

@valeisabrown5453

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a broncos fan an I would say the greatest of nfl history

@fahhhque2255

3 жыл бұрын

And think about the linebackers who have come through the Burgh good comment

@frankformicola5702

3 жыл бұрын

He should've been inducted into the HOF the day after he retired!!!

@Yurrbo

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankformicola5702 even though it’s not allowed they should have made an exception for him

@jamesswigert5666

2 жыл бұрын

In the words of Bum Phillips, “he might not be in a class by himself, but it don’t take long to call role!”

Absolutely love the Steelers. From South Africa

@detectiveandy6323

3 жыл бұрын

love to hear my, scratch that, OUR Steelers getting love from all over the world. thank you South Africa

Only Jack can get away with telling the crowd to hush up let’s get going. 😂 What a way to end a speech. Chills bro. Only a man’s man can say such a thing.

"Greatest Defense" ever assembled is correct. The "Steel Curtain".

That's a true alpha male, no tears, just states the facts.

@fngaming5064

3 жыл бұрын

And gave credit to the 2 most important people in his life

@courylanders4142

2 жыл бұрын

He probably practiced the speech. So he was very prepared.

@jamesswigert5666

2 жыл бұрын

Tears have nothing to do with how much of a man you are. He was a great player and his lack of tears has nothing to do with his level of testosterone

This guy was the best defensive player I ever saw, he was awesome

Even my phone saluted Lambert...after his speech ended my battery showed 58 percent!

Love or hate the Steelers, they epitomize what SHOULD be the norm. I'm now 51 and the Steelers have had 3 coaches in my lifetime. Loyalty. More than a dozen players have come back to Pitt, some for a single day, just to retire a Steeler. No other team can say the same, at least not to the same extent. thanks for everything, Jack, Art, Lisa, and all the rest.

@dalebeckett4796

3 жыл бұрын

Only 3 coaches since 1969. I bet that covers a lot of lifetimes as far as football fans. Right on brother!

It’s always great to start with thanking mom, and then dad.

Super Bad ass Linebacker!

Lambert has always been and always will be my favorite player!! That's when men were men, and football was football. I don't watch anymore, what is now, ,The National Felon League, and their political BS!! Thank you Jack, for helping to make the NFL what it used to be, true sports environment!!!

@jimclark6256

2 жыл бұрын

Only wantabe toughs who can only beat up on women are allowed to be in pro football today.

As a quarterback, Jack Lambert inspired me to wear a pink dress, Thanks Jack!

I was at a Steelers game several years back. They had former players come on to the field at halftime. I thought the place was going crazy, then they announced Jack Lambert. It was by far the loudest I had ever heard any stadium or crowd of people in my life. That includes Penn State games I attended with around 100k people or any rock concert I've been to. It was awesome.

Of all the great talent who ever had the honor and privilege of playing for Chuck Noll, Jack Lambert represented Coach Noll's archetype for what the ideal player should be.

My favorite Steeler of all time #58 ❤️

Jack Lambert what a speech...

The absolute greatest speech ever given

Jack gave a great Hall of Fame induction speech.

Jack Lambert was the Best!!! 🖤💛 #58!

It’s a shame that the players today can’t and will never be the level of player that Jack Lambert and his fellow teammates were!

@AlexHernandez-bb9ok

3 жыл бұрын

True like I'm 14, been a fan for a very long time and we have never seen players like these guys. Our defense currently is just amazing, but I wish I could go back and see this defense play as they were the greatest defense to ever be assembled.

@ctruth6185

3 жыл бұрын

The govt and the NFL weren't pushing an lgbt agenda back then. Men were allowed to be men.

@chrisoakley5830

2 жыл бұрын

@@ctruth6185 You're so right. The game is so soft now its hard to recognize it. I'm so glad I got to see the NFL in the 70$ and 80$ when the game and the men were real!

@kokonanana1

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisoakley5830 Look up Turkey Joe Jones sack of Terry Bradshaw on KZread. You will NEVER see another one like that!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn it's great to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan!

He was a real football player

I'm not a Steelers fan. But I will speak theses words. I'm 57 years old and I watched football since a 6 year old kid. And I can truly say it was always exciting watching this hall of famer play. My opinion one of the greatest linebackers that ever played the game. There would never be another Jack Lambert ever. And I truly believe every running back ran through that line was definitely afraid of him. They knew if they were tackle definitely Jack Lambert something to do with it.

5:24 "There is not an owner, or a team, or a coaching staff, or a people in a city, that I would rather have played for in the entire world."

A memorable speech from an iconic player.

Even though Jack Lambert is only a few years older than me, he was and has always been my favorite NFL player. 1974 Steeler draft: Round. Pick 1. 21. Lynn Swann 2. 46. Jack Lambert 4. 82. John Stallworth 5. 125. Mike Webster All in the Hall of Fame....Greatest draft in NFL history.

@jcrtrchannel3806

3 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget Donnie Shell , 1974 undrafted free agent

@CarlosReyes-qe2iq

2 жыл бұрын

And Donnie Shell, and undrafted HOFer...

My FAVORITE Steeler of all time PERIOD!!💖

This is the best speech that I heard. Emotionally and amazing hall of fame ever.

Jack Lambert embodies everything that is GREAT about Steelers football! He delivered his brand of football, on his terms and imposed his will on cowering opponents. His passion was fierce. His play was hard, relentless and sometimes brutal. But, he always achieved his end result which was a winning and being a key part of a dominant Steelers team. Because he exuded all the qualities of a no-nonsense, hard working people in a tough steel town -- Jack Lambert will always remain the well-deserved poster child for Steelers Nation!

Pure Class Dude.

One of the absolute greats.

Proud to be a Steeler fan and Jack Lambert is a main reason why. Go Steelers !!!!!

We were SO lucky to have this team of Steelers! Jack was absolutely a great man first, great player second. Love you Jack!

I am a lifelong Callas Cowboy fan. But that is one of the best Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction speeches that I have ever heard. Jack Lambert was truly bad ass as the middle linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I remember that one of his nicknames was Count Dracula in Cleats. The Steelers proved their claim to NFL fame as the team of the 1970s by their 8 consecutive AFC Central Division Titles from 1972 to 1979, advancing to the AFC Championship Game 6 times in 1972, 1974,1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979; winning 4 of them and winning all 4 Super Bowls that they played in in Super Bowls 9, 10, 11 and 12. The Steelers took on incredibly talented and truly great Cowboy and Raider teams also in their 1970s prime and managed to defeat them in big games. Plus they had to deal with rest of the league gunning for them too. I hate to says this, but Lambert and his Pittsburgh Steelers were and always will be remembered for dominating the NFL in the 1970s and they will always be great champions who were, are and always will be a credit to pro football and the NFL. Rest In Peace, Franco Harris.

@shawnamericanrebel5676

Жыл бұрын

On behalf of Steeler Nation, thank you ✊️

@billmalone5050

Жыл бұрын

@@shawnamericanrebel5676 The Steelers were flat out loaded up with truly great players; Bradshaw, Swann, Stallworth, Harris, Blier, Kolb, Webster, Lambert, Ham, White, Greenwood, Blount, Shell,, Green, Furness, Mansfield, Holmes, Mullins Russell and please forgive me for leaving out the ones that I cannot remember. What a truly amazing and incredible array of athletic skill and talent, speed, power, strength, toughness and endurance those Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s had.

what a man, what an organisation

"Discipline is necessary to excell".........................enough said.

Wow I never knew what a speech artist Lambert was. A classy, inspirational effort to say the least. But it sure was a treat to watch him rule the defensive field of play back in the glory days. Kudos forever to you Jack !!

Jack Lambert.... nobody does it better! Awesome player!!!! Definitely apart of the greatest defense ever! Steel Curtain!!!

Fantastic speech. My absolute favorite football player ever.

Wow that was a darn good speech, a lot of reference to Pittsburgh. Is Jack running for mayor? Be Impossible for him to loose.

Very underrated in fact of how smart he was.. As intense as any player I have ever seen

IF I HAD TO START MY LIFE ALL OVER AGAIN I'D BE A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER AND YOU DAM BETTER BELIEVE I'D BE A PITTSBURGH STEELER, WOW THAT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE'S WITH THE PRIDE OF BEING A PITTSBURGH STEELER FAN MY WHOLE LIFE, JACK LAMBERT A TRUE STEELER.

Favorite Steeler Ever! Let's Go Pittsburgh!

The core of the greatest defense that ever played, in all of NFL history, clearly a leader and a man that the Steelers and all of their fans will always remember...impressive speech, brought back childhood memories of watching this great linebacker wreak havoc on opposing offenses, never forget.

@johnjon6159

Жыл бұрын

Yes after the 85 bears.

@bethelacademyofmartialarts3966

Жыл бұрын

@@johnjon6159they dominated for at least six years and posted two of the greatest defense performance in 76’ and 78’. They have 5 hall of famers from those defenses, and arguably 4 of them are top 10 at those positions all time. Bears did it ONCE, and it n no way shape or form had a tougher division.

Jack was my favorite! He gave his all, in every single game, the guy had no quit button!

Is it me or did anyone else got those goosebumps?!?! This guy represents the american dream. Down to earth guy which won everything in football. His passion for the game and especially his love for the Steelers Nation and the blue collar background is so lovely. Jack Lambert is the epitome of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the hard working people in the US. Greets from Germany

I am a Raiders fan but will tell you that I truly admired Jack. The epitome of what an NFL linebacker should be! Wish we could have had him.

@johnjon6159

Жыл бұрын

So many great linebackers. Imagine how great Derek Thomas would have been and was!

Damn he only played 11 years. Ben is almost playing his 20th, and think about all the injuries he's been through. Ben is a Steeler true and tried and could have played back then. He is the toughest QB I've ever watched. People don't even know half his injuries. Literally had his nose broke during a game, bent at almost a right angle and still played and won. He was taken out on a stretch against Bengals where fans threw things at him. Next thing you know, he is back out for the end of the game to bring the W. Ben is as tough as any Steeler.

@CapoKies

2 жыл бұрын

And he says he feels better than ever. NEVER count Ben out.

@YT-BenG

2 жыл бұрын

Big Bad Ben! Nuff said

My all time favorite player he was MEAN and WONDERFUL. PS4L

With all due respect to my wife, I love Jack Lambert! What a god!

Jack Lambert and Dick Butkus were the toughest players to ever play the game, hands down.

@dancollins8296

Жыл бұрын

Hard to argue that

@jeffreywilliamson744

5 ай бұрын

Ray Nitzge

@CycloneJack

2 ай бұрын

@@jeffreywilliamson744 Good call. He may not have been quite up there with Butkus, Lambert, and Nitschke, but Tommy Nobis deserves to be mentioned. He was no slouch.

Beautiful!

Jack Lambert...only the greatest men can be so humble so as to recognize and thank "the most important people in the organization: the locker room and equipment man..." besides thanking his family, coaches, fans and teammates. Those were the days, when men were men and football was really football. God bless Lambert for all the good times he gave us, Steelers' fans. And you can be damn sure I'd be a Steelers' fan if I was born again!!

When I think of a linebacker Jack is 1st on the list. The epitome of toughness

One of the strongest reasons for being a steelers fan. Here we go!

Jack Lambert was a football player's football player.

What a great speech.

That was a beautiful speech

My favorite player of all time thanked everybody from his mother to the equipment man a Class Act!

How does this team bury itself in our hearts so deep? I watched Troy's speech tonight, and tears filled my eyes with pride that such a wonderful man was on the team I grew up loving. Then, this video popped up on my feed. I've seen it many times before, but watching it again tonight, more tears of pride dripped down my cheeks. I simply love that I'm a member of Steelers Nation!

@bjpsw1970

2 жыл бұрын

100% agree

@chazzkramer7676

Жыл бұрын

Lola S, it's the culture. The Rooney way. The players. The coaches. The uniforms. The work ethic. Steeler Nation. It's a 'BURGH thing don't yinz know!!!

@L4u84S

Жыл бұрын

@@chazzkramer7676 ❤❤❤❤

@bethelacademyofmartialarts3966

Жыл бұрын

Because this is what is great about sports ❤

One of the best induction speeches ever, from one of the best ever

My ultimate respect for Mr.jack Lambert is, I never have been a person to idolize a sports athlete, but as a younger person the only poster I had on my wall in my bedroom was a giant poster of Mr. Steeler Jack Lambert. My favorite Steeler of all time. Thank you sir.

Best speech ever at the hall of fame.....

Always a fan of 58..see him in a new light after that speech..missed it live..can’t believe it’s 30 yrs ago

MR. LAMBERT! NUFF SAID! #PS4L

Jack Lambert. One of the Steelers all time best players. If not the best.

As s lifetime Cowboys fan, I will always remember Jack slinging Cliff Harris to the ground after Cliff playfully slapped Roy Gerela on the helmet after missing an easy field goal. THAT was a STATEMENT! Nobody intimidated the Steelers. The Steelers WERE the intimidaters. Loved the Cowboys, but respected Jack. Pretty good game that day too.

So lucky to have been able to watch Jack Lambert play for our Pittsburgh Steelers!!! Thank You Jack for all your great play through the years!!!

I absolutely love this, and I’m a Browns fan!! Big respect to Lambert and The Pittsburgh organization.

That man was a football player. Just awesome

The guy would play full tackle football on gravel at Kent state.

THE MAN!!!! 👍👍❤️❤️

Mr. Lambert’s HoF speech remains a favorite of mine for its sincerity and humility