Dick LeBeau

Who: Defensive Back Dick LeBeau

Team: Detroit Lions

Card: 1967 Philadelphia

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/25/2009 (4 days)

Comments:Dick LeBeau has been quietly building his legend in the world of pro football for over 50 years now. The defensive mastermind and father of the zone blitz is was named Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seniors committee as finalists for election into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2010. I'm really hoping he gets the nod and his bust gets displayed in Canton.

I know LeBeau best from his days a Bengals coach. He had some brilliant years as a defensive coach and later coordinator, but he seasons as a head coach did not go so well. His legacy here as a head coach has certainly not dampened my respect for him. Lebeau compiled a 12-33 record over the course of nearly three seasons as head coach of the Bengals, but it's hard for anyone to win in Cincinnati. Given the talent he had to work with, it's amazing they won any games in the time period.

LeBeau has a beautiful signature and this 1967 Philadelphia card is pretty killer. It's also the only Philadelphia I have in my collection. The neat thing about these cards is the trivia question on the back. To get the answer, you have to rub a coin over a designated area on the card. The answer on the back of this card has yet to be reviled, and likely will never be. I don't think I can bring myself to scratch it off.

If you're curious, here's the question:

What did dick earn his varsity letter for at College?

Of course, LeBeau was a star football player at The Ohio State University for the legendary Woody Hayes.