On this day in Steelers history, Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert retired. Lambert actually called the Rooney family on July 8, his 33rd birthday, to alert them of his decision, but waited until July 11, 1985 to officially retire.

A look back at Lambert:

Jack Lambert was one of the most menacing linebackers ever to play in the NFL, known fondly as "Jack Splat" or "Dracula in Cleats."

When opposing players looked across the line, they would see the fierce look in his eyes, the intense glare, the missing teeth, and there were times they didn't want to take the snap.

"We're the Pittsburgh Steelers. We're supposed to be the intimidators," Lambert once said.

And with Lambert leading the charge, they were.

Lambert didn't take well to others trying to intimidate, and when it happened, there was a price to pay.

In Super Bowl X Cowboys' safety Cliff Harris taunted Roy Gerela, patting him on the head following a missed field goal. Lambert didn't like it and responded by body slamming Harris to the ground.

Remember this is the guy who said this in regards to protecting quarterbacks: "It might be a good idea to put dresses on all of them. That might help a little bit."

Lambert, the Steelers second-round pick in the legendary 1974 draft class, was special right off the bat, winning the starting middle linebacker job his rookie year and holding on to it for his 11-year career.

He won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the year that season, and two years later was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and became known as one of the premier linebackers of his era, with a combination of intelligence, intensity, speed and range.

Lambert was named to nine straight Pro Bowls, was All-Pro eight times, and a team defensive captain for eight years. He played in six AFC Championship games and was a member of the Steelers four Super Bowl winning teams in the 1970s.

Lambert was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1990 and was an member of the Steelers initial Hall of Honor.