Jim LeClair
| Date of birth | October 30, 1950 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| College | North Dakota |
| NFL draft | 1972 / Round: 3 / Pick 54 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1968–1969 | Minnesota-Crookston Eagles |
| 1970–1971 | North Dakota Fighting Hawks |
| 1972–1983 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1984–1985 | New Jersey Generals (USFL) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| Career stats | |
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James Michael LeClair (born October 30, 1950 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a former professional American football linebacker who played 12 seasons in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals and later in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals.
LeClair attended South St. Paul High School in South St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was a standout football player and wrestler for the Packers from 1966 to 1968.
He enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Crookston where he played football and wrestled for the Trojans from 1968 to 1970. He was named MCCC All-Conference and NJCAA All-Region in football and ranked first in Minnesota and fourth in the nation in wrestling during the 1970-1971 season. He also captained both teams. He led the 1968 football team to a 6- 2 record that was at one time ranked nationally. They won the Northern Conference Title of the Minnesota Junior College League. He was named to the NCJAA All-Region and All Minnesota football teams.
LeClair was also an outstanding wrestler during his two years at UMC. He finished his final year at UMC with a record of 25-2 in the 190-pound division. In addition to being captain of the wrestling team, he finished his final season ranked fourth in the nation, first in the state and outstanding wrestler in three tourneys.
LeClair then played college football for two years at the University of North Dakota, where as a senior, he was named Little All-American in 1971 as he recorded 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries fumbles, and 11 forced fumbles for the Fighting Sioux. He was also a two-time All-North Central Conference honoree and he was named the league's most valuable defensive lineman in 1971.
He earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1971.
LeClair was selected in the third round (54th overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He spent the next three years mainly as a starter on special teams and as a backup linebacker. He became a starter on defense in 1975 and remained so for the rest of his career (nine seasons through 1983). He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1976.
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