Ed Beard (American football)

Edward Leroy Beard (December 9, 1939 – January 15, 2023) was an American professional football player.

Ed Beard
No. 50
Born:(1939-12-09)December 9, 1939
Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
Died:January 15, 2023(2023-01-15) (aged 83)
Career information
Position(s)Linebacker
CollegeTennessee
High schoolOscar F. Smith
(South Norfolk, Virginia)
NFL draft1964 / Round: 14 / Pick 183
Career history
As player
1965–1972San Francisco 49ers

Early life and education

Beard was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, on December 9, 1939.[1] A 1959 graduate of Oscar F. Smith High School in South Norfolk, Virginia, Beard was an All-American and also State Heavyweight Wrestling Champion in 1957 when his high school, Oscar F. Smith, did not have a wrestling team; the only time this has ever been accomplished by a wrestler. In 1960 Beard completed his post-graduate year at the Staunton Military Academy, where he was a standout football player. Beard played two years of college football at Tennessee before joining the Army, where he was selected Outstanding Player on the Army football team.

National Football League

Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1964,[2] Beard was a special teams captain and middle linebacker; during his eight years with the team, San Francisco won the NFC West three years in a row. Beard won the Len Eshmont award in 1971 and was the first special teams captain in NFL history. After his career was cut short by injuries, Beard served as linebackers coach for the 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and later became defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

After the NFL

In 1996 the football field at Oscar Smith was renamed Beard-DeLong-Easley Field in honor of Beard and fellow alumni Steve DeLong and Kenny Easley.[3] In 2002 Beard was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He was honored along with other former 49ers on November 5, 2006, at an Alumni Day.[4] After leaving football, Beard entered the contracting business and helped promote country music in the greater Hampton Roads area.[5] On October 23, 2011, Beard was riding his bicycle in the north section of Chesapeake, Virginia, and saw a person being beaten by about 15-20 teenagers. He stopped to help the victim but was attacked by the group of youths and suffered a concussion, cuts, and bruises. Beard stated he would continue working with youth groups, something he had done for several years.[6] As of March 2013, four of those involved had been sentenced to jail time. Beard stated he hoped this would help them turn their lives around.[7]

Beard died on January 15, 2023, at the age of 83.[8]

References
  1. Shampoe, Clay (2005). The Virginia Sports Hall Of Fame: Honoring Champions Of The Commonwealth. Arcadia Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 0-7385-1776-3.
  2. NFL Draft History:Full Draft - Alphabetical Order, retrieved October 15, 2007
  3. Robinson, Tom, NEW OSCAR SMITH HIGH DEDICATES FIELD TO OLD HEROES, retrieved October 15, 2007
  4. NFL: 49ers Honor 60 Years with Alumni Day, retrieved October 15, 2007
  5. BEACH BARBECUE, CONCERT TO BENEFIT WILDFOWL CENTER, retrieved October 15, 2007
  6. Rostami, Marjon (October 28, 2011). "Teens Attack Former NFL Player, 71". Associated Press.
  7. Daugherty, Scott (March 23, 2013). "4th Teen Sentenced in 2011 Beating of Former NFL Player". Associated Press.
  8. "Virginia Sports Hall of Famer, South Norfolk native Ed Beard dies". Wavy. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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