Remembering Andy Russell

There were so many great players on the Pittsburgh Steelers teams of the 1970’s, that some, notably Andy Russell, who died on Leap Day at age 82, were perhaps overlooked.

Russell was a rookie on an incredibly rare, good Steelers’ team that took its (7-3-3) record (remember ties), into Yankee Stadium for a showdown game with the two time Eastern Conference champion, Y.A. Tittle, led New York Giants in 1963.

New York prevailed (33-17) in that tilt, before losing a third straight NFL title game, that one (14-10) at Chicago, vs the Bears. (Since then the Giants, only (3-11) in what were pre Supe, NFL title games have gone (4-1) in Super Bowls/games for the NFL title).

That change in title game fortune, while so impressive, is dwarfed by that of the Steelers incredible success juxtaposed with their previous ineptitude, that manifested in 4 crowns in 6 seasons (’74-’79) with Andy Russell, part of a great trio of linebackers (all-time type greats, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert were the others), and on the first two Steelers’ title teams in 1974 and 1975.

Russell made 7 Pro Bowl games and is a member of the Steelers’ Hall of Fame.

Perhaps due to the fact so many Steelers have made the Pro Football Hall, Russell is denied, which is unfair, a la the delay, still ongoing, maybe to end this year, regarding great team Lakers,’ Michael Cooper, also a title winning WNBA coach, selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Finally, a nice memory regarding a rare, early “betting” win when Andy Russell, not exactly a Jesse Owens in the speed department, rambled 93 yards with a Bert Jones of the then Baltimore Colts (caused by Ham), fumble that increased the 11 plus point(s) favorite, Steelers lead and eventual final score to (28-10), in the last two minutes of play, in the slot 1/early Saturday divisional playoff game of 1975.

Denise’s eventual husband, now of 46 plus years and a working auto wrecker that day, called me ecstatic as I was, with me screaming “Christmas miracle” regarding Russell’s TD, that miraculously covered “el” spread.”

For the record, husband Neil had the winning Rams vs the Cardinals, not I.

The next day each of us lost with favorites Minnesota (outright to Dallas on the Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson “Hail Mary TD Pass”) and Oakland, which no covered Cincy (Bengals) in the latter team’s immortal coach, Paul Brown’s last game).

That is #34 Andy Russell and there is a segment regarding his fumble recovery TD vs the Baltimore Colts in their 1975 divisional round game.