Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1981
John "Jack" Harold Lambert Born July 8, 1952 in Ravenna, Ohio…Attended KSU from 1970-73…Considered by many as one of the greatest football players in KSU history…His jersey (No.99) was retired on May 5, 1977…Came to KSU as quarterback, moved to defensive end in 1971, then put at middle linebacker by then head coach Don James in 1972…Had banner year in 1972 in leading KSU to the school’s first MAC football championship…Named MAC’s “Defensive Player of the Year” in 1972 as he led the league in tackles with a total of 233…Also named MVP at the 1972 Tangerine Bowl…Twice named First Team All-MAC in 1972 and 1973...Was squad captain of the 1973 team that finished with most wins (9) in school’s history…Finished KSU career with 593 tackles, second highest total in school’s history…Played in 1973 All-Ohio Shrine game in Columbus, 1974 North-South game in Miami, Fla., and 1974 American Bowl in Tampa, Fla…Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft…Has been cornerstone of Steeler defense that led team to record four Super Bowl triumphs since 1975…Twice selected United Press International (UPI) Defensive Player of the Year (1976 & 1979)…Named All-Pro six times and played in the 1980 Pro Bowl in Hawaii for the American Football Conference (AFC)…Also named top defensive player by Associated Press in 1976 and was AP’s Rookie Defensive Player of the year in 1974…Was the first recipient of the Cleveland Touchdowns Club’s NFL Player of the Year Award in 1977…Native of Mantua where he was a three-sport letterman in football (3), baseball (4), and basketball (2) at Crestwood High School…Returned to the school in October 1980 for dedication ceremonies as community named football facility the “Jack Lambert Stadium”.
