LeBeau

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Dick LeBeau said he tried not to think too much about what he called "a lifelong dream." So much time had passed, it might have seemed like he would never make it.

But Saturday, 38 years since the end of his career as a Lions cornerback, LeBeau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior candidate.

The Steelers' defensive coordinator will be enshrined in August in Canton, Ohio, with guard Russ Grimm, linebacker Rickey Jackson, running back Floyd Little, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith.

"There's something to say about longevity and sticking in there and holding onto your dreams," said LeBeau, 72. "But it's just unbelievable. I'm so thrilled, so pleased."

LeBeau, long overlooked, was drafted in the fifth round by the Browns in 1959 — and released in training camp. He signed with the Lions as a free agent.

Playing in the defensive backfield with Yale Lary, Dick (Night Train) Lane and Lem Barney — all Hall of Famers — opponents figured he was the weak link.

"Dick wasn't blessed with great speed," said Joe Schmidt, another Hall of Famer, who played linebacker with LeBeau and later coached him with the Lions. "I think everybody felt they could take advantage of him."

In the end, LeBeau was the one who took advantage. He intercepted 62 passes. He was tied for third all-time when he retired after the 1972 season. He is still tied for eighth all-time and still ranks first in Lions history.

LeBeau said he was most proud of starting 171 consecutive games, an NFL record for a cornerback. But his interceptions came when seasons lasted 14 games, not 16, and teams didn't pass as often as they do today.

"His shrewdness and his intelligence and his knowledge of the game and knowing what they were trying to do to him all the time helped him intercept all those passes," Schmidt said.

That intelligence also helped LeBeau in his 37-year coaching career. He is credited with inventing the zone blitz, and he has had some dominant defenses. He won his second Super Bowl ring as the Steelers' defensive coordinator last year.

Now he should have more credibility with his players.

"Unfortunately," LeBeau said with a laugh, "they'll probably have to listen to it a little bit."