Dick LeBeau Player and Coaching Legend

September 9, 1937, in London, Ohio, Dick LeBeau crafted a remarkable career as both a player and a coach, leaving an undeniable legacy on the game of football.  

College Career:

Dick LeBeau attended Ohio State University, where he played for the legendary coach Woody Hayes from 1956 to 1958. A versatile player, LeBeau contributed as a halfback on offense and a cornerback on defense. He was a member of the 1957 national championship-winning Buckeyes team. In a notable game against Michigan in 1957, LeBeau scored two touchdowns, showcasing his ability on both sides of the ball. He earned three letters during his time at Ohio State.  

Road to the Pro Game:

LeBeau was drafted in the fifth round (58th overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. However, he ultimately signed with the Detroit Lions, where he spent his entire 14-year professional playing career from 1959 to 1972. Despite being a fifth-round pick, LeBeau quickly established himself as a durable and effective cornerback, starting 171 consecutive games, a record for the position at the time.  

Football Legacy:

Dick LeBeau is revered as one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the Detroit Lions and a Hall of Fame inductee. Over his 14 seasons, he recorded 62 interceptions, which remains a Lions franchise record and ranks among the top in NFL history. Known for his consistent play and ball-hawking skills, LeBeau earned three Pro Bowl selections and multiple All-Pro honors. After retiring as a player, LeBeau transitioned into a highly successful coaching career, spanning over four decades. He is particularly renowned for his innovative defensive schemes, most notably the "zone blitz," which has become a staple in modern NFL defenses. As a defensive coordinator for teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, he led defenses that consistently ranked among the league's best, winning two Super Bowl titles with the Steelers. His impact on the game as both a player and a coach is immense, earning him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

3x Pro Bowl (1964-1966)  
3x Second-team All-Pro (1964, 1965, 1970)  
NFL Interceptions Leader (1970 - NFC)
Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team
Detroit Lions All-Time Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2010)
2x Super Bowl Champion (as Defensive Coordinator - XL, XLIII)  
Sporting News Coordinator of the Year (2008)  
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
Career Stats: 185 games played, 62 interceptions, 762 interception return yards, 3 touchdowns, 9 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble recovery touchdown.  

Sources and related content
Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com, and from Coach LeBeau himself in our 2024 interview