";s:4:"text";s:5072:"Those linebackers are in the Hall of Fame right now, and that’s why I believe Andy should be part of that as well.”Billy Howton had a career that deserves to be recognized. Ham said he’s not sure he’d be in the Hall without Russell, but he is certain what his former teammate did for him during his career – and it was invaluable. Here's why.The Hall-of-Fame's Centennial Class has been named, and former commissioner Paul Tagliabue is part of it.Dak Prescott seems more secure than the Dallas Cowboys despite failing to sign a long-term contract.The senior pool of candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame includes past NFL MVPs, Defensive Players of the Year, all-decade selections and Pro Bowl regulars.You know about the members of the Hall's Centennial Class of 2020. He played in three bowl games, and intercepted two passes in MU's Orange Bowl win over Navy in 1961. | “Andy played during an era where he was tackling Jim Brown,” said Ham, “and then he played in an era where it was Tony Dorsett coming out of the backfield running routes … and guys like Eric Metcalf … and people like that. There are four members of Pittsburgh’s vaunted “Steel Curtain” defense in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but linebacker Jack Ham – who made it to Canton in 1988 – believes there should be fifth. “A couple of times in training camp I would take the tight end and get rid of him to the inside and get pinned inside and the running back would go outside. Charles Andrew "'Andy" Russell (born October 29, 1941) is a former American football linebacker who played his entire 12-year National Football League (NFL) career for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went on to a long and decorated NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1963-76 (except for two years when he was in the U.S. Army). A true iron man, Russell never missed a game during his high school, college and professional careers. He led the Tigers in rushing in 1961, and also returned a pass interception 47 yards for a TD in a tight 10-0 win over Oklahoma that season. Andy Russell: Pos: LB, Career: 168 G, 18 Int, 2 TD, 7xProBowl, Steelers 1963-1976, born MI 1941 And that’s why I’m touting him for the Hall of Fame.” Russell was part of the 1976 Steelers, a club some believe was the best Pittsburgh team ever. Russell played alongside Jack Ham and Jack Lambert in what is widely acknowledged to be the greatest linebacking unit of all time. I will probably be discounted because I was a teammate of his, and I'm a dear friend of his. The idea of engaging with him … all the techniques on a tight end that Andy taught me and also when you have pulling guards coming toward you and what plays they can run and can’t run against you.