He wasn’t the biggest or strongest, and he was the first to say he wasn’t the fastest. However, no one who understands the sport and how it should be played would argue that Andy Russell is the smartest. And Steelers history will remember him as one of the five.
Andy Russell, aged 82, died on Friday, March 1.
Russell entered the NFL as a 16th-round pick in the 1963 NFL Draft, and when he retired following the 1976 season, he had been selected to seven Pro Bowls by his peers throughout the league. In 1971, his teammates voted him Steelers MVP, and he served as team captain for ten seasons. In 1989, his community named him the Big Brothers and Sisters Man of the Year.
And, as one-third of what is perhaps the best three-man linebacker corps in NFL history, Andy Russell could play a lot.
“We are saddened by the news of Andy Russell’s passing,” said President Art Rooney II. “Andy was a key member of the legendary 1970s Steelers squads. He was one of the few players that Coach Chuck Noll maintained on the squad after taking over as head coach in 1969. Andy was the team captain, and his leadership was vital to Coach Noll’s development of the 1970s Steelers, who went on to win four Super Bowls. We were thrilled to induct Andy into the Steelers’ inaugural Hall of
Andy went on to have a very successful business career following his playing days and was an active member of the Pittsburgh community. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Cindy and the Russell family.”
When the Steelers were first able to line up with Jack Ham on the left, Jack Lambert in the middle, and Andy Russell on the right, their linebackers provided a unique challenge to opponents as part of one of the most formidable defences in NFL history. The Ham-Lambert-Russell partnership was distinguished by its ability to make a difference via play.
Those three linebackers started in 40 of 42 games over three seasons (1974-76), and they combined for 32 takeaways, including 16 interceptions and 16 fumble recoveries. That’s a lot of takeaways from linebackers in an age when offences weren’t as high-flying as they are now, and those game-changing plays came on top of the chaos caused by a defensive line that mauled opponents, backed up by a ball-hawking secondary that was always physical.
“When I arrived as a rookie (in 1971), he had already been here a while,” Ham recalled. “I doubt veterans and novices spoke to one other back then. He spent time with me as a linebacker. We were almost mirror copies of each other because he was playing the opposite outside linebacker position. He taught me so much about how to psychologically play the game as an outside linebacker. Starting my professional career with those game-situation instructions from him was extremely beneficial. His lessons helped propel my career ahead. He captained the team.”
Yes, Andy Russell was allowed to be captain during the 1970s because he had
By the time Chuck Noll was hired on January 27, 1969, Russell had progressed from a 16th-round draft pick from Missouri to an NFL starter as a rookie, to an officer in the United States Army stationed in Germany to fulfil military obligations as part of his ROTC status, to the only Pro Bowl selection on a 2-11-1 team.
Russell frequently related the story of sitting in the meeting later in 1969, when Chuck Noll was introduced as the Steelers’ new head coach. Noll’s message went something like this: We’re going to win the Super Bowl, but most of you aren’t good enough to be here.
Another story he shared was about his first one-on-one with his new coach. That story began with Russell admitting to feeling quite good about himself as he strolled into Noll’s office. Coming off of a Pro Bowl season. Without a doubt, the best defensive player on the team, if not the best player overall. Chuck Noll went on to criticise his “star’s” game. But it was done in a straightforward manner, from top to bottom, with no theatrics or yelling. The fact that Noll was pointing out little details such as foot positioning and hand usage convinced Russell that the new coach was a teacher who had studied before offering his judgement.
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