CB/HB Charles Richard "Dick" LeBeau (National Champion, 2x Super Bowl Champion, NFL HOF)

[Buckskin86]

Dick LeBeau

With the Buckeyes: After earning three varsity letters (1956-58) as a halfback and cornerback, LeBeau embarked on a 50-plus-year NFL career that continues to this day.

In the pros: When his playing career ended in 1972, LeBeau began a coaching career with stops in Philadelphia, Green Bay, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh before he was named coach of the Bengals. A 12-33 record in three seasons sent him back to the assistant ranks - and eventually to Pittsburgh again - a role and a city that clearly suits him.

The skinny: LeBeau was a very good cornerback and he'll eventually retire as a great defensive coach. His success can be partly attributed to his scheme - the zone blitz - and partly to his ability to connect with players. Few assistants have been so beloved.

GameDay+

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers Notes: Lebeau says he'll be back
By: Mike Bires
Beaver County Times
Tuesday January 5, 2010

PITTSBURGH ? Unless coach Mike Tomlin says no, Dick LeBeau will be back next season as the Steelers? defensive coordinator.

Lebeau, who?ll be 73 next September, hasn?t even thought about the day he might retire.

?He told us in a meeting a couple of weeks ago,? linebacker James Farrior said. ?I think the rumors had started going around again about him retiring and not coming back again, so he laid it to bed with me. He told our defense they?re going to have to kick him up out of here, so I took his word for it.?

LeBeau is in his second stint as the mastermind of the Steeler defense. He served as D-coordinator from 1995-96 and returned to that post in 2004.

TimesOnline.com: ?Steelers Notes: Lebeau says he'll be back

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers defensive coordinator a HOF finalist
By The Associated Press Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dick LeBeau
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is one step away from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Former Steelers Pro Bowl center Dermontti Dawson and assistant coach Russ Grimm are, too.

The three were among 17 former players named finalists Friday, a group that included first-time nominees Jerry Rice ? the NFL's all-time leader receiver ? and Emmitt Smith ? the all-time leader rusher.

LeBeau was a three-time Pro Bowler and intercepted 62 passes in his 14-year career as an NFL cornerback for the Detroit Lions. He and former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little are the senior committee nominees.

Steelers defensive coordinator a HOF finalist - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

 

[Buckskin86]

Steelers' LeBeau is on cusp of immortality
Buzz up!
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, February 4, 2010


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ? True story: Dick LeBeau once ate at least one cheeseburger for 367 consecutive days simply because he likes them.

Just as indicative ? and less of an indictment ? of youth is the record 171 consecutive games LeBeau played in as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions from 1959-72.

The latter streak, among other accomplishments, should help LeBeau, 72, finally gain entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Steelers' defensive coordinator is a finalist for football immortality, and if he gets voted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, only one question will remain: What took so long?

LeBeau is third among NFL cornerbacks in career interceptions (62). He also earned a reputation as a sure tackler after the Lions essentially stumbled upon a bag of gold when they signed LeBeau in 1959.

"Oh my, was he tough," said North Huntingdon resident Bill Priatko, who roomed with LeBeau at Browns training camp in 1959 and remains close friends with him. "He'd come up as a cornerback and hit you."

LeBeau proved to be as durable as he was tough.

He didn't miss a practice or a game in the NFL until the 13th game of his 13th season, when a knee injury finally sidelined him.

That is the accomplishment LeBeau treasures most from his playing career. It is also one reason why former Browns owner Paul Brown, a legendary figure, told people that one of the biggest mistakes he ever made in football was cutting LeBeau.

Steelers' LeBeau is on cusp of immortality - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

 

[Buckskin86]

Bob Hunter commentary: Rumblings
Friday, February 5, 2010
By Bob Hunter
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Dick LeBeau is a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time, and insiders believe the London, Ohio, native has a lot of support. LeBeau, who played at Ohio State, was coach of the Bengals and is currently in his second stint as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, is one of two Senior Committee nominees (former Broncos running back Floyd Little is the other) and will have a presenter make his case to the rest of the Hall voters.

Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News will make the case, which must be based solely on LeBeau's contributions as a player. The case is strong: LeBeau, who played for the Detroit Lions from 1959-72, was second on the NFL's career interception list (62) when he retired and still stands seventh. LeBeau and the other finalists need 80 percent of the vote Saturday to get in.

Bob Hunter commentary: Rumblings | The Columbus Dispatch

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted: Feb. 6, 2010
Lions football
Hall call possible for Dick LeBeau
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- At last year's Super Bowl, the Steelers wondered how defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau had not made the Hall of Fame for what he had done as a Lions cornerback.

"I still don't understand why he's not in there," linebacker Larry Foote said then, before signing with the Lions in the off-season. "Hopefully they can get him in there before he taps out."

This year, LeBeau, 72, finally might make it. He is a finalist for the first time. A committee of media members will meet today and select the 2010 class, as it does the day before the Super Bowl each year.

LeBeau made 62 interceptions with the Lions in 1959-72. He ranked third in NFL history when he retired. Even now, he's tied for seventh. He still holds the Lions record for interceptions and the NFL record for consecutive starts by a cornerback with 171. But while teammates Lem Barney, Joe Schmidt and Charlie Sanders have made the Hall of Fame, LeBeau has not.

Because coaches must be retired for five years before they can be considered for the Hall and he is still active, LeBeau is being considered purely as a player.

Hall call possible for Dick LeBeau | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

 

[Buckeye Maniac]

He finally made it! Congrats Mr. LeBeau!

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- All-time greats Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith led a class of seven into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The NFL's career receiving and rushing leaders were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice highlight 7-man Pro Football Hall of Fame class - ESPN

 

[BB73]

Congrats to Dick LeBeau on making the NFL Hall of Fame!

 

[Steve19]

Congrats to Dick LeBeau on making the NFL Hall of Fame!

It's about time!:osu:

 

[Buckskin86]

Lions' Dick LeBeau elected to Hall of Fame
Legendary cornerback becomes 18th Lion to be enshrined
Sunday, February 07, 2010

DETROIT -- Cornerback Dick LeBeau, a stalwart of the Lions? great defenses of the 1960s, will be the 18th player in franchise history inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. LeBeau was voted by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, during a process that takes place annually on the Saturday of Super Bowl weekend, to join the Class of 2010 for enshrinement this August. The Lions all-time leader in interceptions played 14 seasons in Detroit. He holds the NFL record for consecutive games played by a cornerback and the franchise record for consecutive starts with 171.

It?s been a long time coming for former Lions? cornerback Dick LeBeau, but this August, he will finally become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

"It's just been a life-long dream really. I just always thought that if it was meant to be it would be," said LeBeau. "It's been 37, 38 years since I've finished playing and it's something to say about longevity and sticking in there and holding on to your dreams. It's just unbelieveable and I'm just so thrilled, so pleased."

Lions' Dick LeBeau elected to Hall of Fame : Sports : WEYI NBC25

Posted: Feb. 7, 2010
Dick LeBeau finally gets Hall of Fame nod
Lions CB ended career with 62 INTs
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Dick LeBeau said he tried not to think too much about what he called "a lifelong dream." So much time had passed, it might have seemed like he would never make it.

But Saturday, 38 years since the end of his career as a Lions cornerback, LeBeau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior candidate.
LeBeau will be enshrined in August in Canton, Ohio, with guard Russ Grimm, linebacker Rickey Jackson, running back Floyd Little, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith.
"There's something to say about longevity and sticking in there and holding onto your dreams," said LeBeau, 72. "But it's just unbelievable. I'm so thrilled, so pleased."

Dick LeBeau finally gets Hall of Fame nod | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Dick LeBeau makes Hall of Fame
Former Bengals head coach, defensive coordinator honored for playing days
By Joe Reedy ? [email protected] ? February 6, 2010

The 33-year wait for Dick LeBeau to become a Hall of Famer ended on Saturday when the former Bengals head coach was elected as a senior nominee.

He is the fourth player or coach with some type of ties to the Bengals to be elected to Canton. The others are Paul Brown, tackle Anthony Munoz and wide receiver Charlie Joiner.

?They say anything worth happening is worth waiting for,? LeBeau said after hearing that he was elected. ?I can?t express how happy I am that the moment is finally here. It can?t be any more rewarding. To have my name besides the members of this class is truly humbling.?

Even though it was almost a certainty that he would be elected, LeBeau was not in South Florida and instead in Pittsburgh.

LeBeau, currently the Steelers defensive coordinator, had two coaching stints with the Bengals (1980-91 and 1997-2002). He is considered the creator of the zone blitz, which he created in the late 80s as the Bengals defensive coordinator. He replaced Bruce Coslet as head coach after three games in 2000 and had a 12-33 record.

Dick LeBeau makes Hall of Fame | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com

 

[Buckskin86]

LeBeau makes the hall
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
By Jeff Gates
For The Press

Dancing the night away.

And high-steppin' it all the way to Canton.

When the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday, as expected, it included the National Football League's all-time receiver in Jerry Rice and history's top ground gainer in Emmitt Smith. For both gridiron icons, their post-playing careers included stints on 'Dancing With the Stars."

Although he's known more as a crooner than a guy who can cut a rug, London's Dick LeBeau admitted he kicked up his heels when he heard the news that he will join Rice, Smith and four others in enshrinement ceremonies to be held in Canton in August.

"When I heard that I was selected, I did do a little dance," said LeBeau in an exclusive interview with The Madison Press less than two hours after the announcement was made. "But I think I'll leave that (being on 'Dancing With the Stars') to the younger guys."

The elder statesman of his induction class, LeBeau's enshrinement is long overdue. During his 14-year playing career with the Detroit Lions, LeBeau accumulated 62 interceptions ? third best all-time when he retired in 1972. As a cornerback, LeBeau shared the defensive backfield with two other Hall of Famers in Dick "Night Train" Lane and Lem Barney. LeBeau finished with more interceptions than each of them.

LeBeau made the Pro Bowl three times, and grabbed a career-high nine interceptions in 1970. He was known as a coach on the field, foreshadowing a stellar coaching career that in itself is worthy of Canton enshrinement as well.

"I've always been proud of my playing career," LeBeau said, adding what he is most proud is the still-NFL record 171 consecutive games he started at his cornerback position. "Fortunately, the injuries I had during that time didn't affect my mobility."

Welcome to Madison Press!

 

[Buckskin86]

LeBeau 'Grateful, Humbled' By Call To Hall
Steelers Defensive Coordinator To Be Inducted Into Pro Football Hall Of Fame
February 17, 2010

PITTSBURGH -- At an age when most people have long since retired, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau keeps adding to an already impressive resume.

LeBeau, 72, was a member of a NCAA national championship team at Ohio State, won two Super Bowls as a coach with the Steelers, is considered an innovator for the creation of his "zone blitz" scheme and will soon be enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I'm so grateful and humbled by the whole thing," said LeBeau.

LeBeau said he didn't find out about his induction as a member of the 2010 class from the NFL, but rather from a friend in Colorado.

"He started spouting poetry, which he always does when something good happens. I said, 'Jimmy, I don't know anything at all.' He said, 'It's all over the news, man. You're in,'" said LeBeau.

As a player with the Detroit Lions from 1959-72, LeBeau tallied 62 interceptions, seventh most of all-time.

His 171 consecutive games started also stands as a record for a cornerback.

"I haven't seen enough of the players yet, but I know the first thing is going to be a big hug. I'll probably be hugging them harder than they'll be hugging me," said LeBeau.

LeBeau was quick to credit his players for his success as a coach.

"You don't get into the Hall of Fame without a tremendous amount of help and I acknowledge that," said LeBeau.

LeBeau 'Grateful, Humbled' By Call To Hall - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

 

[Buckskin86]

'The LeBeau Effect'
by Michael Bean (Blitz) on May 6, 2010

Steeler Nation will descend upon Canton, Ohio this coming August to support Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau as he gets enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Robert Walsh - AP

Our second installment in as many days highlighting the contents of the Steelers preseason publication I put together last year (with the enormous help of many others). This isn't exactly a trend, at least not at this clip, but I'm having fun and enjoying this so far. Hopefully you are too.

************

Once I shut up and let you get to it, you'll enjoy a retrospective on recent Hall of Fame selection Dick LeBeau.

In this article, LeBeau's 50+ career in the NFL is highlighted by one of the internet's most prolific NFL content producers, Doug Farrar. Where does Farrar write? Better question may be where does he not? You can see Farrar's analysis and writing archived on a sampling of the properties he contributes to, such as FootballOutsiders, Yahoo's Shutdown Corner, FalconInsider, The Washington Post's 'The League Panel'. I could go on, really, but I'll stop. Follow Doug on Twitter if you're so inclined to keep up with what he's writing about.

Let me say real quick before handing it over - I'm hesitant to heap too much praise on national writers too often. It's hard to really know a lot about more than a handful of teams. Even when you get paid to do so professionally. There's countless of examples of national columnists who just miss the boat each week with their analysis. According to many, the Steelers have been a 'smash mouth, physical team' the past few years. Really?

Farrar though knows his stuff and writes in an analytical and insightful fashion that I was happy to have included in the book. There's plenty of 'fan' voices in the publication - and that's a good thing - but it needed some more neutral, 'trained' perspective as well. Doug Farrar brought just that in this nice piece about one of Steeler Nation's most revered figures, Dick LeBeau.

I also feel compelled to quickly say that I debated about whether or not to include this. On the one hand, I don't want to spoil potential customers into thinking it will all be free at some point. That might lead to me not being able to pay the fine folks who wrote these in the first place, then allowed me to share them with you all either for the first or second time. Anyway, I think sharing a few few things is just the right balance, and actually, after some thought, I think it makes sense to share something well written about LeBeau.

Why? Well, perhaps something should have been written about Coach LeBeau in this year's edition as he gets set to be enshrined in Caton, but it didn't make sense because A) we wrote about him last year and B) we wouldn't have gotten to hear his speech at the induction ceremony before the final production deadline.

'The LeBeau Effect' - Behind the Steel Curtain

 

[Buckskin86]

Notebook: Brother, line coach to present LeBeau, Grimm
Sunday, May 16, 2010
From wire dispatches

Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
Dick LeBeau

-- An important appointment awaits him in CantonThe list of presenters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 in August came out last week.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a standout defensive back for Detroit in his playing days, will be introduced by his brother, Bob.

Read more: Notebook: Brother, line coach to present LeBeau, Grimm

 

[Buckskin86]

Jun 01, 2010
Steelers D-coordinator Dick LeBeau pays tribute to players with jersey offerings

PITTSBURGH -- Two men wore No. 99 jerseys on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice field Tuesday: defensive end Brett Keisel and 72-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau donned the jersey of DL Brett Keisel at Tuesday's workout
By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY

LeBeau has been sporting the jerseys of his 30-something defensive players during off-season drills as a tribute to them.

"He found an old 99 somewhere, and it's quite an honor to have him wear it," said Keisel.

When the Steelers played a 2007 preseason game in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the team's defensive players arrived wearing replicas of the No. 44 jersey LeBeau's wore during his playing career as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions.

The players wanted to show their support for LeBeau's Hall of Fame candidacy. LeBeau was voted into the Hall of Fame in February and will be inducted this summer.

LeBeau also has recently worn the jerseys of players such as linebacker James Farrior and nose tackle Casey Hampton.

"I'm just working through the 30 somethings on the defense, just honoring those guys that have reached their 30th birthday," said LeBeau. " ? This is just a way of saying thanks to those veterans who have really been a good nucleus for us and will continue to be."

The black Keisel jersey that LeBeau wore Tuesday was tight with very short sleeves. LeBeau displayed his arm muscles.

"I told him, 'You've got the pipes out today,' ''said Keisel. "But the jerseys are tight. You can't wear too much underneath them."

Steelers D-coordinator Dick LeBeau pays tribute to players with jersey offerings - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com