Ed Beard (American football)
| No. 50 | |
| Date of birth | December 9, 1939 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S. |
| Date of death | January 15, 2023 (aged 83) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| US college | Tennessee |
| High school | Oscar F. Smith (South Norfolk, Virginia) |
| AFL draft | 1964 / Round: 20 / Pick: 159 |
| Drafted by | Oakland Raiders |
| NFL draft | 1964 / Round: 14 / Pick: 183 |
| Drafted by | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1965–1972 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career stats | |
| |
Edward Leroy Beard (December 9, 1939 – January 15, 2023) was an American professional football player.
Early life and education
Beard was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, on December 9, 1939.[1] 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
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
.
National Football League
Drafted by the
linebackers coach for the 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and later became defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions
.
After the NFL
In 1996 the
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He was honored along with other former 49ers on November 5, 2006, at an Alumni Day.[4] After leaving football, Beard entered the contracting business and helped promote country music in the greater Hampton Roads area.[5] On October 23, 2011, Beard was riding his bicycle in the north section of Chesapeake, Virginia, and saw a person being beaten by about 15-20 teenagers. He stopped to help the victim but was attacked by the group of youths and suffered a concussion, cuts, and bruises. Beard stated he would continue working with youth groups, something he had done for several years.[6] As of March 2013, four of those involved had been sentenced to jail time. Beard stated he hoped this would help them turn their lives around.[7]
Beard died on January 15, 2023, at the age of 83.[8]
References
- ISBN 0-7385-1776-3.
- ^ NFL Draft History:Full Draft - Alphabetical Order, retrieved October 15, 2007
- ^ Robinson, Tom, NEW OSCAR SMITH HIGH DEDICATES FIELD TO OLD HEROES, retrieved October 15, 2007
- ^ NFL: 49ers Honor 60 Years with Alumni Day, retrieved October 15, 2007
- ^ BEACH BARBECUE, CONCERT TO BENEFIT WILDFOWL CENTER, retrieved October 15, 2007
- ^ Rostami, Marjon (October 28, 2011). "Teens Attack Former NFL Player, 71". Associated Press.
- ^ Daugherty, Scott (March 23, 2013). "4th Teen Sentenced in 2011 Beating of Former NFL Player". Associated Press.
- ^ "Virginia Sports Hall of Famer, South Norfolk native Ed Beard dies". Wavy. Retrieved January 19, 2023.