Sports
Dick LeBeau
born 1937 · American football cornerback and coach
Hall of Fame cornerback who played all 14 of his NFL seasons with the Lions (1959–1972) before a legendary career as a defensive coordinator.
- Born
London, Ohio
age 89- Birth name
- Charles Richard LeBeau
- Detroit years
- 1959–1972
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Cut by Cleveland as a rookie in 1959, LeBeau was picked up by the Lions a few months later, and he never left. Over fourteen seasons at Tiger Stadium he became one of the most reliable cornerbacks of his era, part of a Detroit secondary with Hall of Famers Night Train Lane, Yale Lary and later Lem Barney that was among the most feared in the league. He played 185 games for Detroit, fourth-most in club history when he retired, and made three Pro Bowls. His 62 interceptions are still the Lions' franchise record. After retiring in 1972 he began a coaching career that lasted 45 more seasons, most famously as the defensive coordinator of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, where his zone-blitz schemes changed the game. His 59 consecutive seasons at field level in the NFL are a remarkable span. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 2010.
Highlights
- Played his entire 14-year career with the Lions, 1959–1972
- 62 interceptions, the Lions' career record
- Three Pro Bowls
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (as a player), 2010
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1959–1972
Tiger Stadium (site)
Demolished · 1912–1999
The Lions' home throughout his career; demolished in 2008–2009.