Louis Lipps says former AFC Central foe was fiercest team faced

Published November 13, 1:16 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – The Steelers first-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft, Louis Lipps was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor this weekend. Lipps played nine years in the National Football League. His first eight seasons in Pittsburgh before retiring after playing two games with the New Orleans Saints.

“This is like my Super Bowl,” said Lipps the first-team All-Pro (1984-85). “I didn’t get a chance to bring one home when I played. So, this is my Super Bowl. I’m in awe. I’m thankful. I’m proud. I’m humble. For me man this is huge.”

Lipps played in a different era. The AFC North then was called the AFC Central that consisted of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Oilers.

Amongst the heated rivalries Lipps said the Oilers ranked as the top foe during his playing days.

“I mean all of them,” Lipps said of playing against any team in the league.

Lipps then revealed that one team did in fact standout above the rest in his own opinion.

“Houston was the biggest,” Lipps said wearing his sunglasses and Steelers varsity jacket with his name depicted on the front.

“With Bum Phillips he would kick the door down and all that kind of stuff.

“Especially when you are playing them down there. That was pretty spicy. Coach Knoll and the head coach (Jerry Glanville) at the time for Houston did not see eye to eye due to their style of play.

“They were very very aggressive. Maybe a little bit too aggressive but Houston had to be on top of the list.”