Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 4: Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game December 4, 1983 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lambert played for the Steelers from 1974-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

7. Jack Lambert

Today’s NFL features a lot of guys yelling “Look at me, I’m great.” Jack Lambert simply looked at you with a look in his eyes and toothless mouth that simply said “I am going to obliterate you.” The six-time All-Pro was as hard a hitter as the NFL has ever seen, and was the anchor of the Pittsburgh defense for a decade.

The stories that surround Lambert aren’t going to shock anyone. He practiced on blacktop at full speed and would pick gravel out of his skin after each play. He slammed Cliff Harris to the ground after he taunted Roy Gerela for missing a field goal in the Super Bowl, which the Steelers would go on to win.

Lambert instilled fear in opponents like no one else in league history. When opponents lined up across from him, they knew one thing- they were in for 60 minutes of hell.

He played with nonchalant violence and was the walking embodiment of what the Steel Curtain was. Arguably the greatest inside linebacker in history, Lambert is part of both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade team. He won the Defensive Player of the Year in 1976 and was an integral part of all four Steelers Super Bowls of the 1970s.

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