"Who Is 92?" Steelers DC Dick LeBeau Quickly Learned Absolutely No One Could Block James Harrison

Pittsburgh Steelers' longtime Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau wasn't around the first time that legendary linebacker James Harrison got a chance in Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie from Kent State in 2002. LeBeau spent 1992 to 1996 in Pittsburgh before returning again in 2004. That season, the team was short a linebacker in camp, and a reunion with Harrison was floated about the organization. 

Clark Haggans, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was dealing with a broken hand preventing him from doing anything but conditioning drills until August that year, and so it made sense to bring in another player at the position. LeBeau recalled on a recent episode of the All Things Covered Podcast with one of his former players, Bryant McFadden, about how a conversation with then linebackers coach Keith Butler may have led to Harrison's return to Pittsburgh during his own return to the city. 

LeBeau had spent 1997-2002 as a part of the Cincinnati Bengals organization as the defensive coordinator and head coach. He came back to Pittsburgh in 2004 to start an 11-year second stint with the team, but also wasn't afraid to admit when someone else knew better than him. That was the case when the team was trying to find a new linebacker. 

"I didn't know James [Harrison] when I went back," he said. "We were short a linebacker and they said what about Harrison? I said I don't know, you'll have to ask Coach Butler because he's coached him before. I asked him if Harrison’s got a chance to make the team and help us. Butler said, 'I think he's got a good chance to help somebody.' So I said bring him in."

LebBeau admitted that he knew of Harrison's struggles to stick in the NFL before which included being dropped by Pittsburgh, playing in Europe, and being released by the Baltimore Ravens before getting back to the Steel City. Then when it was time to hit the practice field, the coach said as he was watching different players, one kept sticking out. 

"Every night before I go to bed as I'm reviewing what every player did and I’m saying, 'No one is blocking this 92. Who is this guy?'" LeBeau said. "Next day, same thing and I'm like, 'Coach Butler, who is this 92?' And he says, 'Well that's that [James] Harrison we talked about.' I said, 'He's pretty good. Let's make sure to get him plenty of reps.'"

The Hall of Famer said he wasn't seeing anyone able to block him in that training camp and joked he still hasn't seen anybody up to the task. LeBeau is also proud to say he was never on any staff that cut Harrison, but was in fact on the 2013 staff when Harrison was cut after balking at a pay reduction.

Steelers Set To Add Another Hall Of Famer To 2005 Legendary Class

The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers that took home Super Bowl XL already has two coaches in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, LeBeau and Bill Cowher. Three players, Troy Polamalu, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca, have been enshrined. McFadden added that Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward are guys he thinks should get in too. The two even wondered about the case of tight end Heath Miller.

Both agreed that Harrison has the credentials to get into the Hall someday as well. He's been on the radar of the committee in his first year of eligibility in 2023, but will likely have to wait before his name gets called. 

Harrison, LeBeau said, has surpassed any expectations that anyone could have set for him and certainly hopes that he gets recognized among the football greats soon. With an AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, a peak that very few others can rival, and an interception in the Super Bowl that ranks among the best plays in the history of the sport, Harrison is certainly deserving of a gold jacket someday. 

Did you know that it was Keith Butler who stuck up for Harrison? Do you think he deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame? Comment below!

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