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Cleveland Browns: 10 Pittsburgh Steelers we love to hate

By Elliot Kennel

Oct 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) meet at mid-field after a game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) meet at mid-field after a game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 11: Running back Mike Pruitt #43 of the Cleveland Browns is pursued by linebackers Jack Ham #59 and Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on October 11, 1981 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 13-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

7. Ball magnet linebacker Jack Ham

Jack Ham was the greatest Steeler linebacker ever. Lambert was the most ferocious and the hardest hitter, but Ham was the Steelers version of Clay Matthews of the Browns. In fact, one fan’s opinion is that Clay Matthews was the greatest linebacker of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but Jack Ham had a better trophy case because the Steelers were the best team of the 1970s.

Ham was the “coach on the field” guy who knew the Cleveland offense better than their own players. It was impossible to avoid Jack Ham because he was all over the field and was guaranteed to be part of a gang tackle. Perhaps the only strategy was to run right at him. He was going to tackle your guy anyway, but maybe it would be a solo tackle instead of a gang tackle.

Ham is one of those guys who footballs seemed to be magnetically attracted. Ridiculous stats include 21 fumbles recovered and 32 interceptions. Both these numbers are insane for linebackers. Browns fans will want me to quickly point out that Matthews was a much more formidable sackmeister than Ham, and that Matthews played 19 outstanding seasons in the NFL.

That’s true. But Ham was extremely successful at coming up with turnovers for reasons that seem to defy easy explanation.

Overall, Matthews was the more outstanding player, but Ham had far greater team success. What is the Hall of Fame for? Individuals or teams? It’s probably a little bit of both, or that is the only way that Ham is in over Matthews.

"”I would much rather be known for consistency than for making big plays. ‘The same goes for hitting. Sure, I was a hitter. But I also loved playing pass coverage.”"

Truth be told, however, that’s exactly how this fan remembers Jack Ham. He was in on every freaking play, and the ball just had a way of finding him.

Ham went to the Pro Bowl eight straight times and was All-Pro six straight years. Just an extremely smart, tough player.

Rod Woodson was a similar player in the sense that he was always generating turnovers, although Woodson was doing it from the cornerback position.

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