Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1965 to 1972), he played at the middle linebacker position in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers. Born Edward Leroy Beard, he attended Oscar Smith High School in Virginia, and during that period he was a standout wrestler who won the state Heavyweight Title in 1957, as he achieved All-American honors. He enrolled at Staunton Military Academy, prior to playing collegiate football at the University of Tennessee and his studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Army. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers during the 14th round of the 1964 NFL Draft, he totaled 97 career regular season games. In 1968, he produced a career-high 2 interceptions for 93 return yards. After retiring as a player, he served as a linebackers coach with the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and later he was promoted to defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. After retiring from football, he founded his own construction company. In 2002, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1965 to 1972), he played at the middle linebacker position in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers. Born Edward Leroy Beard, he attended Oscar Smith High School in Virginia, and during that period he was a standout wrestler who won the state Heavyweight Title in 1957, as he achieved All-American honors. He enrolled at Staunton Military Academy, prior to playing collegiate football at the University of Tennessee and his studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Army. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers during the 14th round of the 1964 NFL Draft, he totaled 97 career regular season games. In 1968, he produced a career-high 2 interceptions for 93 return yards. After retiring as a player, he served as a linebackers coach with the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and later he was promoted to defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. After retiring from football, he founded his own construction company. In 2002, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
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