Two of Kent State football's all-time greats have Tampa connection
Though the Flashes have never played in Tampa Bay, they have deep connections relating to future pros.
This weekend, Kent State will travel to South Florida for the first time ever. Although the two programs lack a true connection, Kent State has a fascinating connection to Tampa through two Golden Flash greats.
From 1969 to 1977, Tampa Stadium, the future home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosted the Lions' American Bowl all-star game. Kent State sent two players to the game in linebacker Jack Lambert and running back Art Best.
Lambert needs no introduction.
Many remember the swashbuckling linebacker as the face of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defenses in the 1970s. However, few may realize just how dominant he was at Kent State. Despite playing just three years due to NCAA eligibility rules at the time, Lambert remains Kent State's second-leading tackler all-time with 593 tackles.
Lambert posted seasons of 155 tackles in 1971, 233 tackles in 1972, and 203 tackles in 1973. The 2972 and 1973 season totals are the first and second-best season totals in Kent State history, respectively. Lambert still has the single-game school record for tackles with 29 total stops against Toledo in 1972.
Perhaps most notably, Lambert anchored Kent State's 1972 MAC champion team. (Coincidentally, the Golden Flashes played Tampa in their only bowl game from 1956 to 2012, and one of just five in program history.)
The Associated Press named him an Honorable Mention All-American in 1972 and 1973, while the American Bowl sent him an invite after the 1973 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers then drafted Lambert, and he went on to a celebrated Hall 0f Fame career that earned him spots on both the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary teams.
Three years later, someone from the offensive side of the ball represented Kent State in the game. Halfback Art Best spent just one year at Kent State after transferring from Notre Dame, but he made that year count.
Best ran for 1,030 yards on 194 carries, with 12 touchdowns in 1976. Art saved his best for last in the season finale when he ran for four touchdowns against Northern Illinois. His stellar season earned him an invitation in the Tampa all-star game like Lambert did before him at season's end.
The Los Angeles Rams would go on to draft Best, who ran the ball eight times for 31 yards and returned six kickoffs for 127 yards across three seasons.
Kent State's matchup against USF may be a rare occurrence, but with the game taking place at Raymond James Stadium, which sits right across from where old Tampa Stadium grounds used to stand, it brings reminders of two greats from the school‘s distant past.
Huge thanks to the 2026 Kent State Football Media Guide for assisting in the research for this article. You can read that here.
