Pittsburgh has found a way to honor its former defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, in a memorable fashion. The Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday officially declared this February as "Dick LeBeau Month."
"Affectionately called ‘Coach Dad’ by his Pittsburgh players, few people in this world have garnered such deep and abiding admiration of the people of Pittsburgh," Councilwoman Darlene Harris read during a ceremony. "We love him for his excellence on the field of play; we love him all the more for the man that he is."
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Most individuals who receive a Pittsburgh City Council declaration get one day named in their honor. LeBeau gets one month.
"This today, I can’t think of anything any greater than an honor from the city that you worked and loved in," LeBeau said. "Quite honestly, it’s more than I deserve."
Many Steelers players, including defensive end Brett Keisel and linebacker James Harrison, feel it's exactly what he deserves and attribute their success to LeBeau. The defensive beasts were present at the ceremony to support their former coach.
"But why James is here and why I am here is because of what he did for us off the field," Keisel said. "He was much needed for a group of guys who were wild and crazy and could have easily went the other way. ... I will forever be grateful for his influence in my life. I love you to death, coach."
As for where LeBeau will end up next, only time will tell.
"Onward and upward," LeBeau said. "Coaching's been good to me. I've been blessed. Whatever happens next. We'll embrace it. Whatever the Lord's got in store for us, we'll roll up our sleeves and go after it. ... We've talked to some people."
After serving 16 seasons over two terms in Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator, LeBeau surprised the Steelers by resigning from his duties on Jan. 10. He recently declined an opportunity to join the Cardinals' staff but might still end up in some role with the Titans.
LeBeau's Hall of Fame coaching resume dates back to 1973 and includes stints with the Eagles, Packers, Bengals, Bills and Steelers. LeBeau served as defensive coordinator for the Steelers in 1995. He returned in 2004 and held the position in Pittsburgh until his resignation. LeBeau claimed two Super Bowls and six AFC championships throughout his tenure with the Steelers. During his last 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, the Steelers had the NFL's best defense five times.
LeBeau, 77, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 for his exploits as a player and inducted into the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.