My Pittsburgh friends have spent a lot of time this weekend talking about the induction of Dick LeBeau into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
They should. As much as anyone, LeBeau has been responsible for fielding a consistently terrifying defense for the Steelers for two stints, in the 90s and again since 2004.
But LeBeau was inducted as a player, after a 14-year career playing cornerback for the Lions. He still sits in seventh place all time for interceptions in the NFL with 62, a remarkable record given that his playing days were over after the 1972 season.
However — I’m a fan because of LeBeau’s college career at Ohio State, particularly his junior year. In that season, LeBeau played both as a defensive back and halfback; he scored two touchdowns against Michigan, locking down a Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes beat Oregon and won a national championship.
In his acceptance speech on Saturday, LeBeau tipped his hat both to Woody, his coach, and to Jim Tressel, whom he said he still learns something from every day.
Dick LeBeau may belong to the Steelers now, but he is, and always will be, one of ours.
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