Steelers' Dick LeBeau Had Secret Play For Casey Hampton: "I Came Up With A Technique And We Called It 'Tough'"

The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the best defenses in the league in the 2000s. Combined with an offense led by the young Ben Roethlisberger, they made it to three Super Bowls, winning two. An unforgettable cast of characters led that defense and most of them live in the hearts and minds of fans to this day. 

There was every manner of player you could imagine, many with huge personalities, but they somehow made it work. If James Harrison was the enforcer, James Farrior the leader, and Ike Taylor the hype man, then Casey Hampton was the glue that helped hold the whole unit together. 

Hampton, a nose tackle selected in the first round in 2001, was a unique feature of Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense. He spent 12 seasons in black and gold and was selected to five Pro Bowls. 

It wasn't just the players that were critical to the success of those units. It was also thanks in large part to former Defensive Coordinator, Dick LeBeau. LeBeau recently wrote a book called Legendary. His book describes how important and talented Hampton was to the team. He said he was perfect in every way, the prototypical nose tackle at 6'1" and 325 pounds. 

"You couldn't block him in part because he moved so well for his size. Centers got so worried about him that they would start cheating to try to beat him to a spot. I came up with a technique, and we called it 'Tough.'"

LeBeau said when they ran 'Tough,' Farrior and Larry Foote would cover for Hampton so he could get right behind the center. The center in turn would try to make up for Hampton's presence and keep him from blowing up the play. 

Hampton was able to call the play himself, said LeBeau. He had full trust in his linebacker teammates that they were doing what they were supposed to do behind him.

"I'd tell Hampton, 'Now whenever you think it's time for 'Tough,' when you think the center is running on you, just let me know.' I'd be on the sidelines, walking and thinking, and Hampton would walk by. He wouldn't pause. He wouldn't stop. He would just say, 'Time for a little Tough, Coach.' I would turn him loose on the backside. He had a better feel for when it was time to use it than I did because he was right there at the nose."

It was the perfect situation for Hampton, said LeBeau. It fit his abilities precisely. If the opponent were too slow across from them, he would beat them. He'd go to the backside if they were to cut him off. 

Hampton was so good at his job that LeBeau said he had trouble understanding why everyone else wasn't as good as he was. If a defensive back made an error in space, Hampton would just stare at them in incomprehension. 

Steelers' Casey Hampton Became A Locker Room Favorite

LeBeau said that Hampton was not only a fan favorite but also a team favorite. He said that he was next to kicker Jeff Reed, among all the specialists in the locker room. While he looked out of place, LeBeau said he fit in anywhere because he was so humble and had this huge, booming laugh that filled the whole room. His teammates remember him as a "jokester" who was just an overgrown kid. 

While all of Steel City might have been thrilled with Hampton and his antics, the rest of the NFL wasn't so pleased. When he was on the field, he meant business. LeBeau credited Hampton with making offenses one-dimensional. He would frequently take on three offensive linemen all at once, and acted as an anchor for the whole defense. 

Are you surprised to hear that Hampton, like Troy Polamalu, could call his own play? Click to comment below. 

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