I AM LEAVING: Steelers’ outstanding quarterback has decided to leave the team owing to the allegation leveled against him.
Andy Russell deserved more. Last weekend, the former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker passed away at the age of 82, marking the end of a fulfilling life and professional football career. I don’t know much about Russell off the field, but I do know what he’s done on it. And his actions were so exceptional that he deserved more from the game he served than what he received. He deserved to be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 12 seasons with the Steelers, he was a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, team MVP, and two-time Super Bowl Champion. He has never been a Canton finalist or semifinalist, which is a pity. It is a disgrace.Several years ago, maybe seven or eight, a group of Andy Russell supporters drove from Pittsburgh to Canton on an August morning to meet with a group of Hall-of-Fame voters who were there for the annual enshrinement. They made the trip to assess Russell’s chances of being elected as a senior candidate, and they received their answer. Not good. It was not because Russell lacked qualifications. He was. And it still is. Despite the fact that his name had been considered, it appeared to elicit little interest from the senior committee. And that was then. What about now? Now, you never hear about him… Until, unfortunately, last weekend. “The guy went to seven Pro Bowls,” said Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin, a member of the seniors committee. “He was a team captain and basically
Jack Ham, a former Steelers linebacker, was taught how to play the position, as Jack would attest. He also won two rings and missed two years of his career (1964–65) due to a military commitment. Andy Russell was a truly outstanding player. Russell, a 16th-round draft pick in 1963, spent his debut season with the Steelers, who were not challenging for a league championship. In fact, from 1963 to 1971, they only had one winning season (Russell’s rookie year) and never made the postseason. Russell was an All-Pro twice (1968 and 1970) and a Pro Bowler three times (1968, 1970-71). So, while the rest of the team struggled, Russel excelled.