Ed Beard (American football)
| No. 50 | |
| Date of birth | December 9, 1939 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Chesapeake, Virginia |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| College | Tennessee |
| NFL draft | 1964 / Round: 14 / Pick 183 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1965–1972 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career stats | |
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Edward Leroy Beard (born December 9, 1939 in Chesapeake, Virginia) is a former professional American football player.
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.
Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1964, 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.
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