DICK LeBEAU

Dick LeBeau

6'1" 185

Cornerback

Detroit Lions

1959 - 1972

14 Seasons

185 Games Played

62 Interceptions

9 Fumble Recoveries

4 Touchdowns

3 Pro Bowls

Charles Richard LeBeau was a 5th round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 1959 draft. He was the 58th player picked overall. He went to college at Ohio State University. There, he played under Woody Hayes as both a Running Back and Cornerback. He was a key member of the Buckeyes 1957 National Championship team. During that season, he had one of the best games of collegiate career against arch rival Michigan University. He scored two touchdowns in the Buckeyes 31-14 win.

LeBeau did not make the Browns team, and was cut in training camp. He would then be picked up by the Detroit Lions. He played 6 games in his rookie year, mostly on special teams. He did recover the first fumble of his career that season. In 1960, LeBeau earned the starting job at Cornerback opposite newly acquired Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane. The Lions defense also had Hall of Fame MLB Joe Schmidt, Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle Alex Karras, Hall of Fame Safety Yale Lary and Pro Bowl Safety Terry Barr. LeBeau picked off 4 passes. The next 3 seasons, LeBeau and Lane formed the best Cornerback tandem in the NFL. LeBeau picked off 3 passes in 1961, then 4 in 1962. He scored the first two touchdowns of his career that year, by interception and fumble recovery. In 1963, LeBeau picked off 5 passes and returned them for 158 yards. He also returned one interception 70 yards for a touchdown. LeBeau would then make his first of 3 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances in 1964. That season also marked Larys last in the NFL, and Lane played only 7 games. LeBeau still managed 5 interceptions that year. 1965 was the last year for both Lane and Schmidt. LeBeau picked off 7 passes and returned one for the last touchdown of his career. 1966 would be LeBeaus last Pro Bowl season, when he intercepted 4 passes. LeBeau stayed steady the next several years. He picked off 4 passes in 1967, opposite of Hall of Fame Cornerback Lem Barney under new coach, and former team mate, Joe Schmidt. LeBeau and Barney would then team up for the next 3 years as one of the best CB tandems in the league. LeBeau then had 5 picks in 1968. In 1969, he snatched 6 interceptions. 1970 saw Dick LeBeau have a career high 9 interceptions. At 34 years old in 1971, LeBeau would intercept 6 passes. 1972 would be the last year as a Detroit Lion for LeBeau and Schmidt. LeBeau was moved to Free Safety that year, and would not intercept a pass for the first time since his rookie season. He did recover the last fumble of his career that year.

Dick LeBeau only retired from the NFL as a player after 1972. He went into coaching in 1973 for the Philadelphia Eagles as a Secondary Coach. He stayed with the team until 1975. He then held the same duties with the Green Bay Packers from 1976 to 1979. In 1980, he moved to the Cincinnati Bengals. He served as a Secondary Coach, and as Defensive Coordinator with the Bengals until 1991. LeBeau then served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992 to 1996. This is when LeBeau would gain notoriety for inventing the now commonly used "Zone Blitz" defense. The Steelers defense featured such greats as Hall of Fame Cornerback Rod Woodson, All Pro Linebackers Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon and Strong Safety Carnell Lake. They would go to the Super Bowl after the 1995 season. In 1997, LeBeau returned to the Bengals as a Defensive Coordinator. He would then be named Head Coach of the Bengals in 2000, and held that job until 2002. LeBeau then worked for the Buffalo Bills in 2003. He returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004, and is still the Defensive Coordinator of the Steelers today. In 2005, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Dick LeBeau is one of the most respected coaches in NFL history, obviously, and is called "Coach Dad" by his players. Dick LeBeaus playing career alone should have him inducted into Canton by now. If inducted, he would be the first player from the 1959 NFL Draft to make it. He is a member of the Detroit Lions Legends. His 62 interceptions are the most in the history of the Detroit Lions.

If you just look at his coaching career alone, he is worthy of induction. If you put both factors together, it is a no brainer. I cannot fathom what the voters hold up is. There in NO QUESTION about it, Dick LeBeau belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame right now!

Notable Players Drafted In 1959 (None are a Canton Inductee Yet)

2. Dick Bass, FB, Los Angelos Rams

3. Bill Stacy, DB, Chicago Cardinals

5. Dave Baker, DB, San Francisco

6. Nick Pietrosante, FB, Detroit

15. J.D. Smith, OT, Philadelphia

17. Bob L. Harrison, LB, San Francisco

19. Mike Rabold, G, Detroit

21. Rich Petitbon, DB, Chicago Bears

22. Buddy Dial, WR, NY Giants

23. Dick Shafrath, OT, Cleveland

25. Bowd Dowler, WR, Green Bay

26. Wray Carlton, RB, Philadelphia

28. Emil Karas, LB, Washington

29. Eddie Dove, DB, San Francisco

34. Joe Morrison, RB, NY Giants

35. Fran O'Brien, OT, Cleveland

41. Monte Clark, DT, San Francisco

44. John Tracey, LB, LA Rams

47. Dave Lloyd, LB, Cleveland

49. Bob Wetoska, OT, Washington

53. John Wooten, G, Cleveland

80. Eddie Meador, DB, LA Rams

102. Bobby Joe Green, P, San Francisco

119. Bob Zeman, DB, Cleveland

123. Art Powell, WR, Philadelphia

125. Harry Jacobs, LB, Detroit

141. Mike Connelly, C, LA Rams

164. Joe Robb, DE, Chicago Bears

167. Elbert Dubenion, WR, Cleveland

173. Bruce Maher, DB, Detroit

177. Roger LeClerc, LB, Chicago Bears

209. Joe Kapp, QB, Washington

219. Alan Miller, FB, Philadelphia

223. Dave Kocourek, TE, Pittsburgh

242. Dale Memmelaar, G, Chicago Cardinals

249. Donnie Stone, RB, Chicago Bears

250. Jim Fraser, LB, Cleveland

266. Fred Glick, DB, Chicago Cardinals

313. Timmy Brown, RB, Green Bay

319. Charley Tolar, FB, Pittsburgh

331. Ron Hall, DB, Pittsburgh

353. Jim Colclough, WR, Washington