LeBeau ranks 7th all-time with 62 INTFormer Buckeye and 1957 national champion Dick LeBeau has been named as a finalist by the Seniors Committee for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2010 class. Selections for induction will be conducted on February 6, 2010.
According to the Pro Football HOF site, senior nominees must be 25 years removed from the playing days meaning Dick is not only a hall of fame caliber coach, he was also a HOF caliber player. We're very partial to LeBeau around the 11W offices and are elated to hear of his nomination.
In fact, we included him as one our 10 Most Unsung Buckeyes in this year's edition of Buckeye Battle Cry based on his amazing contributions to both OSU and the professional ranks. It still shocks us that so many fans aren't aware he was a two-way stud on Woody's '57 national championship squad, starring at both halfback and cornerback, featuring a 2 TD performance in a 31-14 destruction of Michigan before taking his skills the NFL.
Cut by the Browns, LeBeau hooked up with Detroit and worked in tandem with Dick "NightTrain" Lane on his way to three straight Pro Bowls. After the dust settled on a 14 year playing career, LeBeau ranked 7th on the all time interceptions list with 62 and set an NFL record with 171 consecutive games played at cornerback.
LeBeau took his skills to the sidelines in '73 and eventually invented the now famous zone blitz defense in an effort to slow down the emerging run and shoot offenses of the '80's while serving as defensive coordinator for the Bengals. His exploits as the defensive coordinator for the Steelers (two separate stints) have been well documented and in his combined 10 years in the Steel City the defense has ranked in the top 10 nine times and finished as the top overall defense in three of the last five years.
Props to Dick LeBeau on his well deserved nomination. Even if he's passed over for induction this February, it's only a matter of time before he takes his rightful place in Canton.
Comments
Funny thing is the dude still looks the same age as when that photo was taken.
Now in modern day's, to kill the spread, its man to man with a nice little 4-5 man rush. Rush 4-5, drop 6-7? That's some scary stuff! Hope we pull that kinda defense off this year!!!
Mista Hines, the QB killa
I hope he gets in. I might even show up to his induction. Wouldn't it be great to see him as our DC?
I've got a copyright on that dude. But feel free to use it. LOL
Except he's 71 and gets paid truck loads of money to coach in the NFL. There's always hope!
I know, McKnoe, I know!
RE: Will Ferrell and USC, I'll take King James on the 'Shoe sidelines any day of the week over him. It's science.
King James better be there for OSU and USC!!!
You know who better show up against the Trojans? Winners.
Buckey HOF this year, hopefully Canton next year.
Dude shot a 69 at Firestone 3 weeks before the tourney there this year.
Although he's 7th on the INT list now, I believe he was somewhere in the top 3 when he actually retired.
Yep. He was 3rd at time or retirement.
It's an absolute travesty that he is not in already. Not too many people who are or should be in as both a player and as a coach. I think he is 71 and doesn't look a day over about 40. I think he is actually a machine....