Eddie LeBaron

Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. (born January 7, 1930, in San Rafael, California) is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.

Early career

LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California and went on to the College of the Pacific (now the University of the Pacific). He played there from 1946 to 1949, lettering all four years and achieving All-American honors in 1949 after leading them to an undefeated season. He was a two-way, 60 minute player, as a quarterback on offense, safety on defense, and punter on special teams.

Military service

Following graduation, LeBaron served as a United States Marine Corps lieutenant in the Korean Conflict. He was wounded twice and was decorated with the Purple Heart. For his heroic actions on the front lines he was awarded the Bronze Star. Due to his dimunitive size, 5 feet, 7 inches, and leadership skills from his military service he was sometimes known as the "Littlest General".

Professional career

LeBaron was drafted in the tenth round (123rd overall) of the 1950 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins and played with them through 1959, except for 1954 when he played in the Canadian Football League. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders because his college coach, Larry Siemering from the College of the Pacific, was coaching there.

In his seven seasons with the Redskins he started 55 of a possible 72 games at quarterback (he played in 70 of those 72 games).^[1] He was also the primary punter for his first three seasons with Washington (he would punt 171 times for a total of 6,995 yards in five NFL season, with 164 of those coming in 1952, 1953, and 1955.)^[1]

To build the roster of the expansion Cowboys, Dallas was allowed to pick certain players from certain teams per league rules. Clint Murchison selected the Redskins' Pro Bowl quarterback, Eddie LeBaron, who would become the Cowboys' first starting quarterback. Somehow, Redskins owner Marshall had forgotten to move LeBaron to the team's "protected" list.

He was the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for their first three seasons, 1960 to 1962. LeBaron started 10 of 12 games in 1960, with the rookie Don Meredith starting one and Don Heinrich starting the other.^[2] LeBaron started 10 of 14 games in 1961, with the young Don Meredith starting the other four.^[3] He only started five games in the 1962 season, but split time with Don Meredith almost evenly.^[4] He started the first game of the 1963 season, but was replaced permanently by Meredith for the rest of the season, with LeBaron became Meredith's backup.^[5].

He was selected for the Pro Bowl four times in 1955, 1957, 1958, and 1962.^[1] The shortest quarterback to ever be selected to the Pro Bowl, LeBaron was known primarily as a ball-handler and elusive scrambler.

After football

LeBaron became a football announcer for CBS Sports after his NFL career. He had obtained a law degree during his off-seasons from football, and practiced law after his football career. He was also the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons from 1977 to 1982 and executive vice president from 1983 through 1985. LeBaron is an avid golfer and continues to play golf in his retirement.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

See also

• List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star

References

External links

• Career Statistics
• LeBaron in The Korean War
• Gallery of Eddie LeBaron football cards