Dick Lebeau | Greatest D-Coordinator Ever?

Over time you come across people and sometime you come across a person like Dick Lebeau, defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers who retired from the Detroit Lions. Everyone who encounters him walks away saying, “Wow that’s one of nicest guys I ever met.”

It was evident coming from a tiny place in Ohio where Lebeau admitted, “I learned that from London, Ohio a small town about two hours from where we’re standing. Honesty and hard work, that’s about all they value down there. It sure has stood me in good stead.”

Building on a career that started in the Motor City of Detroit back in 1959, LeBeau played 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions, earning three straight Pro Bowls from 1965-67. LeBeau talked during his enshrinement speech about the special teammates like Dick “Night Train” Lane, Lem Barney, Charlie Sanders, Yale Lary and probably the best teammate anybody had, Joe Schmidt, they’re all in the Hall of Fame.”

It was easy to notice that life and football mean a lot to LeBeau and the accolades that come along with all the success don’t seem to faze him after he mentioned, “This Hall of Fame is a big deal.”

During OTA’s this year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the gridiron legend wore jerseys of the players during practice as a tribute to some of the older players. Veteran Brett Keisel said, “It was an interesting thing I mean, coach Tomlin talked about the 30 year old guys and what they brought to the team so far. So he (LeBeau) honored us all. Wore our jerseys. To have a guy of his caliber wear your jersey is really special.”

Former Steeler and current member of the Arizona Cardinals, Joey Porter who was also in attendance added, “To watch something good happen to him with all the good things he did for everybody else. It’s just a great day.”

Talk about being loved by his former and current players, LeBeau is the heart that pumps the blood into the football souls. The entire Steelers team broke from training camp practice Saturday for the two hour trek to Canton.

After the enshrinement, the Steelers had to rush back to Latrobe, PA to get back to camp but not before James Harrison, Larry Foote and Ike Taylor were seen taking pictures with LeBeau and how proud and excited those players were to have that moment.

Late for the bus after the photo-op, Larry Foote was smiles from ear-to-ear saying, “I’m excited for him. Just geeked up” and when asked about the picture together Foote replied, “Ah, man! That’s the best thing about the night. I can’t wait to get it framed and put it up somewhere in my house.”

What Others In Attendance Had To Say:

“Accomplishment well deserved. He put a lot of work in the NFL as a player and a coach and finally see him make it into the Hall of Fame was great for him. Just how to play the game at the right level. The way he wanted you to do it. I mean what ever he told you as a player you would do it. Just admire the guy so much. No matter what brick wall he told us to run through we would do it. That type of love for this guy. To watch some thing good happen to him. With all the good things he did for everybody else. Just great.”
-- Joey Porter, Steelers LB, 1999 – 2006

“To be able to have his influence in my life the last nine years has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. We all love the guy to death and we are just blessed to be part of this. It’s been a special night I mean Coach not only was he a great player, he’s also a great coach. On top of that he’s a great man.”
-- Brett Keisel, Steelers DE, 2002 – Current

“Great feeling. Well deserved. Good man on and off the field.”
-- Ike Taylor, Steelers DB, 2003 – Current

“Great deal. Long time coming. Good to just see him get that opportunity to get in. Just happy for him. The type of guy he is, just happy for him.”
-- Casey Hampton Steelers DT, 2001 – Current

The heart of today’s Steel Curtain sharing their thoughts moments after their dear coach, Dick Lebeau was enshrined into the Hall of Fame. Earning a place in Detroit’s starting line-up in the final six games of his rookies season, he has never looked back like just like the 1963 interception he returned 70 yards for a touchdown.

The NFL is better because of Dick LeBeau, the players he coached are better men because of Dick Lebeau.