PFT looks at the 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Like many football fans, I first met Dick LeBeau in the pages of Paper Lion by George Plimpton.
Then 26 years old, LeBeau was described a “lady-killer” with an “abstracted air” who was an expert dancer at the local bar. LeBeau liked to strum “melancholy” songs on his guitar late at night while telling stories about his legendary secondary teammate Dick “Night Train” Lane.
While it’s hard to imagine this young man becoming one of the legendary coaches of his era, even then LeBeau thought differently than others.
Lane called LeBeau “complex,” always thinking how best to read the receivers he covered. His mind often seemed elsewhere off the field, perhaps thinking about the next practice, the next game.
LeBeau used his brain and his physical tools to rack up 62 interceptions in a 14-year career, still seventh-best in NFL history. He made the Pro Bowl three times, and only missed one game between 1961-1972.
A great player, LeBeau wouldn’t be inducted this weekend if not for his influence as a coach. It’s debatable whether he “invented” the zone blitz, but LeBeau certainly popularized it and mastered all its advantages like no one else.
He coordinated the Bengals into the Super Bowl twice in the 80′s, and helped key Pittsburgh’s two Super Bowl trophies in the last decade with a rotating cast of players, many of whom call LeBeau “Coach Dad.”
The voters for the Hall of Fame weren’t supposed to consider LeBeau’s coaching achievements, which is silly.
We’re glad they did. You can’t tell the story of the NFL over the last 50 years without including Dick LeBeau’s contributions.
7th most interceptions all time? Most starts for a corner? I think he qualifies as a player.
Go Lions!! 10-6
He more than deserves to be in the hall of fame, I think his most impressive stat is only missing 1 game between 61 and 72. The only thing that sucks about him was he never played for the Raiders.
Congrats to Coach LeBeau,who doesn’t look to be in his 70′s.
Why do you guys always write items with the term “we” think this, “we’re” glad this? Clearly your viewpoint differs from Florio’s on this issue. Either that or Florio just makes stuff up for the sake of his articles over at Sporting News.
Unfortunately, given the current rules governing the Hall of Fame, Florio is right…LeBeau doesn’t belong.
Wow Rosenthal why don’t you suck him off a little more. Not mad that the refs admitted that they handed SB XL to your precious steelers are you? Further confirmation that they don’t have ONE legitimate super bowl….sucks.
# Triple B says:
Unfortunately, given the current rules governing the Hall of Fame, Florio is right…LeBeau doesn’t belong.
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Why because you believe that his playing career didn’t warrant it? He was one of the best at his position when he played and the only one in the top 4 in interceptions when he retired that wasn’t in the HOF until now.
The WRONG of it was Florio’s contention that he didn’t belong AND for it to have taken so long for him to get inducted – AS A PLAYER.
Whoever said not missing a game is point on!
1961-1972, you could do anything to a WR!
Second, you have to hear this guy talk, he sounds
like he’s 30, smart, witty, and extremely likeable.
Good choice!
The list of QB’s LeBeau picked off is impressive: his first NFL pick was off of Johnny Unitas, and he victimized Johnny U numerous times in his illustrious career. He went on to intercept Hall of Famers and legends like Bart Starr, Eddie LeBaron, Fran Tarkenton, Y.A. Tittle, Roman Gabriel, Earl Morrall, John Brodie, Daryle Lamonica, Craig Morton.
Coach LeBeau has the rare distinction of having the Hall of Fame credentials of both player and coach. Debating under which heading he is going in under does not diminish the fact that this man is an undisputable HOF’er under any criteria. His stats and coaching legacy are undeniable and his mark on the field and it’s sidelines are indelible.
Cheers to a great player, great coach and great man.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Gregg Rosenthal thought that “melancholy” was *actually* spelled “melecholy.”
WOW.
That is just stupefying. [Look it up Gregg]
not sure morton and labaron are ‘legends’.
but lebeau belongs, as player and/or coach.
not sure morton or labaron could qualify as legends.
but lebeau belongs in the hall as player and/or coach.
Congrats to LeBeau – he definitely deserves it.
Now…What the effs going on with this site – it’s getting as bad as ESPN. Two things I find out today through Yahoo and no mention at all on this site – First of all Olbermann is no longer on FNiA – thank God, I can start watching it again. and second the ref of the Shttsburgh -Seattle Superbowl admits to the blown calls that cost Seattle the game. Not a peep.
if yer not first… says:
August 7, 2010 6:11 PM
First of all Olbermann is no longer on FNiA
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First I heard of it here as well. Thanks for the heads up. I like him OK if he doesn’t talk about W. Just let him talk about football or sports in general and I’m ok with him.
First of all Olbermann is no longer on FNiA
Here’s the link. I’m getting drunker by the minute (put dog down Friday) and I can get a story out. You are welcome, PFT.
http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/keith-olbermann-out-at-football-night-in-america/
# numberfour says: August 7, 2010 5:45 PM
not sure morton or labaron could qualify as legends.
but lebeau belongs in the hall as player and/or coach.
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LeBeau also picked off Steve Spurrier a couple of times, but I left him off the list. Surprisingly, in my research I found Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr, the most famous and successful names on the list, to be two of the qb’s that LeBeau intercepted most frequently.
Craig Morton – one of only two qb’s to lead two different teams to the Super Bowl, member of the Bronco’s “Ring of Fame” – arguable as to whether he was truly “legendary”, but certainly one of the best long bombers of his generation with a very impressive 13.6 yards/completion.
Eddie LeBaron – 4X Pro-Bowler despite playing for some of the worst Redskin and Cowboy teams, Member of the Redskin “Ring of Fame”. Incredible 14.9 yards/completion for his career ties him for 9th all-time in NFL history with Daryle Lamonica.
Funny there’s no mention of Florio’s story earlier today where he says LeBeau doesn’t belong in the HOF.
But then again the dimwit also said Lynn Swann didn’t deserve to be there either.
What a tool.
“Silly” is a good way to describe it, Gregg. These ridiculous “as a player” arguments shouldn’t have to exist in the first place.
Great speech coach. You are a class act. It’s easy to see why your players love you.
He was ranked #3 among cornerbacks in interceptions all time. He definitely deserves to be in as a player.
“Lady killer”s mind was elsewhere. Thinking about more pleasant times the night before. LeBeau could still take 90% of the Steeler player’s wives and girlfriends if he was so inclined. Although they are particularly unattractive as a group.
Just to set the record straight. Dick LeBeau was not the defensive coordinator for the Bengals two Super Bowl teams. LeBeau was the coordinator for the 1988 team. He was the defensive back coach for the 1981 team. Hank Bullough was the Bengals Defensive Coordinator in 1981.
If there is a guy that deserves it is him he was the father of the 3-4 and a damn good player as well
Dick LeBeau is the main/only reason the Steelers won their last two Super Bowls. Anyone who thinks any different, is crazy in their head.
Wow Rosenthal why don’t you suck him off a little more. Not mad that the refs admitted that they handed SB XL to your precious steelers are you? Further confirmation that they don’t have ONE legitima e super bowl….sucks
aww to bad your sorry team doent have one,cry some more ho
As a Browns fan I have to respect Dick LeBeau as a coach and as a player. 60+ picks? There is no reason he should have waited this long be inducted.
LeBeau has 62 int’s and is seventh on the list. Pretty good numbers in a time that a QB only threw the ball about 30% of the time. Imagine what that stat would be today when QB’s throw 40-50% or more depending on the team.
Go Steelers!!!