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Dick LeBeau may now be a renowned defensive coordinator, and a two time Super Bowl winner in that capacity, he may be known for coaching a defensive player of the year, or for innovating the zone blitz out of the 3-4 defensive front, maybe you know him as the soft spoken, yet angry looking older gentleman constantly pacing the sidelines of the black and gold.

But, not many people who haven’t taken the time to study up on the history of the game, knew that he was also a stud corner between 1959 and 1972.

LeBeau played under legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, and helped the team to a National Championship win in 1957.

Being born in a small Ohio town (London, Ohio), and playing for the hometown Buckeyes essentially made him and his family Cleveland Browns fans, it would have completed the dream to play for the team that they could only hear on the radio in the car, as London didn’t get the games via the airwaves.

In 1959, that dream took shape, LeBeau was drafted by the hometown team in the fifth round, but ended up being one of the last cuts prior to the season.

In a recent interview, his brother recalled, that ‘after that, we weren’t Browns fans anymore’.

LeBeau was subsequently signed by a Detroit Lions team that boasted a God-like secondary, chock full of [now] fellow Hall Of Famers in Lem Barney, Yale Lary and arguably the greatest corner to ever play a down of football – Dick ‘Nite Train’ Lane.

Now, the stakes don’t get much higher, the pressure doesn’t get any worse than being a rookie free agent that has to step in beside these feared defenders and not look bad.

But, LeBeau did it. And did it well, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl in his 14 year career, and now that it’s all said and done, he’s considered one of the best defensive backs in Detroit history – and rightfully so.

He ranks sixth in all time interceptions with 62, third in Lions history with 762 yards along with three touchdowns. Those 62 interceptions, including a career high nine in 1970 (a year he did not make the Pro Bowl) rank FIRST all time in Lions history. Yes. More than Lary, more than Barney and more than Lane.

He’s also known as one of the most durable corners to ever play the game, starting 171 consecutive games at the position – an NFL record for corners.

In today’s NFL, where corners are more agile, faster and smaller to accommodate the pass happy league we love, that record is going to stand intact for years to come.

LeBeau has waited 33 years to don the gold jacket, 33 years to see his bust placed in the holiest of football Mecca’s, and it’s been well worth the wait.

By Phenomenal TJ: Co-owner/Admin – Sports Jabber

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