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After a very long wait, Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame.

LeBeau, who has spent over 50 years in the NFL as a player and coach, finally achieved his dream of being in the Hall-of-Fame.  Several of LeBeau’s Detroit Lions teammates like Lem Barney, Yale Lary, and Dick “Night Train” Lane have been in the Hall-of-Fame for years.  But despite the wait, LeBeau is finally where he belongs.

LeBeau played cornerback at Ohio State University.  Upon graduation, he was drafted in 1959 by the Cleveland Browns, but he was cut during training camp.  He was picked up by the Detroit Lions, and the rest is history,

LeBeau became a starter in the middle of his rookie season and then didn’t miss a single game until late in 1971.  He started 171 consecutive games, which is still a record for cornerbacks.

At the time of his retirement, LeBeau’s 62 career interceptions was second all-time among pure cornerbacks, and third all-time among all positions.  His 62 interceptions is still 8th best in NFL history.

During LeBeau’s acceptance speech, he talked about his days growing up in Ohio, he talked about his time at Ohio State, and his time with the Detroit Lions.  But mostly, he talked about his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He acknowledged most of his starters on the Steelers’ current defense like James Farrior, Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, and Troy Polamalu.

The Steelers canceled training camp practice yesterday, so that the entire team could be in the audience in Canton to support coach LeBeau.

Congratulations, Coach!  It was a long time coming, but you’re finally where you belong.

Click on the link below to see a video of LeBeau’s induction speech.

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After waiting for what has probably seemed like an eternity, Dick LeBeau was finally voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. LeBeau was added by the HOF veterans committee after being by-passed for Hall of Fame induction for decades.

LeBeau played cornerback for the Detroit Lions from 1959 – 1972. He played 170 consecutive games at cornerback, which is an NFL record at the position. LeBeau had 62 career interceptions, which was third most in NFL history at the time of his retirement. His numbers have been surpassed by several players since then, but he is still among the top 10 in interceptions in NFL history.

LeBeau played in the Pro Bowl in 1965, ’66, and ’67. He also was named Second-Team All-Pro 3 times.

After finishing his playing career, LeBeau turned to coaching, and has coached in the NFL for 37 years. LeBeau is best known for being a coaching innovator, and is credited with creating the zone blitz, which is now common in the NFL.

Dick LeBeau

Also being inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame class of 2010 are two other players with Pittsburgh connections, Russ Grimm and Ricky Jackson.

Russ Grimm played his college ball at Pitt, before joining the NFL’s Washington Redskins. Grimm was part of the Redskins famous “Hogs” offensive line. Grimm made the Pro Bowl four times, and played on 3 Super Bowl championship teams. Following his NFL career, Grimm also spent time as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers before leaving for his current position with the Arizona Cardinals.

Like Grimm, Ricky Jackson also played his college football at Pitt. In the NFL, Jackson played for the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson played outside linebacker for the Saints from 1981-1993, where he made 6 Pro Bowl teams. He played his final 2 seasons at defensive end for the 49ers.

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