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August 26, 2009, 3:30 pm
Why Dick LeBeau Deserves to Be in the Hall of Fame
By Andy Barall


Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

(Editor?s note: Andy Barall, who has been a Times reader for over 40 years and who has demonstrated a deep knowledge of football history in the comments section, has agreed to serve as an unofficial Fifth Down historian. He has followed Dick LeBeau?s career since the late 1960s.)

Earlier this month, at his induction ceremony, Rod Woodson urged the Hall of Fame to open its doors to his former secondary coach and defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau. Well, on Tuesday LeBeau cleared the first hurdle. He and the superb Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little were named by the seniors committee as finalists for election with the class of 2010.

LeBeau will soon begin his 51st consecutive season as part of the N.F.L. as a player or coach. He was an outstanding man-to-man cover corner for the Detroit Lions in the 1960s and early 1970s. His 62 interceptions rank seventh on the league?s career list, third highest among cornerbacks.

In 1970, at age 33, LeBeau led the N.F.C. in interceptions with nine. He played in 171 consecutive games as a defensive back.

And yet, as a player, he was never a finalist for election to the Hall of Fame. The selection committee has never even debated his candidacy. Perhaps he didn?t receive serious consideration because he was overshadowed by other members of the Lions? secondary.

Why Dick LeBeau Deserves to Be in the Hall of Fame - The Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com

Michael Arace commentary: Momentum builds for LeBeau's Hall induction
Thursday, August 27, 2009
By Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Joe Horrigan, vice president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, has a saying: "Just get in that room."

Horrigan is often approached by greats of the past who wonder what it takes for enshrinement. He says, "Just get in that room. Being in there and having their cause presented, it keeps them alive in the eyes of the selectors."

"That room" is wherever the 44-member Board of Selectors convenes before every Super Bowl. It is where 17 names are presented for Hall of Fame consideration. Five to seven are then selected for enshrinement.

In February, in Miami, Dick LeBeau's name will be brought up in that room. By this time next year, his bust will likely be in Canton.

If so, it will mark the first time in LeBeau's life that he has had a big head.

LeBeau has spent 37 years as an NFL coach, mostly as an assistant. He has had a part in 10 division championships, five conference championships and two Super Bowl titles. He is universally hailed as a defensive genius.

LeBeau's zone blitz, designed during his first stint in Cincinnati (1980-91), was a revolution at conception and is still in use today. Last season, as defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, LeBeau got his charges to lead the league in total defense, pass defense and points allowed. The unit was second in rush defense.

The Columbus Dispatch : Michael Arace commentary: Momentum builds for LeBeau's Hall induction

Steelers Notebook: Polamalu endorses LeBeau for Hall
Thursday, August 27, 2009
By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

If Troy Polamalu had a vote, he would have enshrined Dick LeBeau in the Pro Football Hall of Fame long before now.

"As a football player, a special-teams coach, a position coach, a coordinator, a head coach, nobody has done it all like he has," the Pro Bowl safety said yesterday, the day after the Steelers' longtime defensive coordinator was nominated as one of two senior candidates to join 15 modern-day finalists in the February voting for enshrinement. "He's done everything but own a team. He's more deserving than Vince Lombardi, if you're talking to me.

"It's because he was a coach the whole time, you know," Polamalu said of Lombardi, noting the 36 years of LeBeau's NFL service.

"Somebody like coach LeBeau who knows what it's like to be out of the front office and take bumps and bruises like these guys, players respect that. That's why I feel a player's Hall of Fame would be much different than it is now.

"I would argue with anybody that there's nobody more deserving in football to be in the Hall of Fame than him."

The record 171 consecutive starts at cornerback, the seventh-most interceptions of all time at 62, you can push those numbers aside, Polamalu added. "Never even missed a practice? That's the most impressive thing."

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also spoke on LeBeau's behalf.

"Coach LeBeau and I have a special relationship," Roethlisberger said.

"We are very close. We hold hands in the team prayer before [games]. We spend a lot of time golfing and hanging out. I couldn't be more proud. He is an unbelievable coach. More than an unbelievable coach, he is an unbelievable person. Anybody who spends 10 seconds around him, there is an aura or something that comes off him, and you realize how special he is."

Read more: Steelers Notebook: Polamalu endorses LeBeau for Hall