Writing a book with Dick LeBeau? Call it a legendary experience

How is that ironic? George Von Benko and I co-wrote a book with Dick LeBeau and I have trouble finding the words to describe it. Not the book, but the experience. Legendary: The 2008 Pittsburgh Defense, the Zone Blitz, and My Six Decades in the NFL is officially released today at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.

The event runs from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET and includes a panel discussion with LeBeau and Ryan Clark, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor, as well as other players on that defense.

I’ve been asked many times what it’s like to write a book with LeBeau. Dave Bryan and Alex Kozora were kind enough to invite me on the Terrible Podcast on Friday to talk about it. The best way to describe it is probably to give brief snapshots of the experience, which includes interviewing a handful of players from the 2008 defense.

— LeBeau’s accomplishments are breathtaking. And that’s just in football. 59 years in the NFL? That will never happen again. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player – and the only NFL defensive coordinator I can think of who was given a key to the city where he coached. He’s a legend in every way except for one: his demeanor. LeBeau is as down-to-earth and authentic as you can get. Every time I talk to him, he asks me how I’m doing or what’s going on in my life. Meet Dick LeBeau, just a few and you understand why the players on that epic 2008 defense would do anything for him.

— James Harrison is still James Harrison, which is to say, an absolute gem. On the Mount Rushmore of the most intimidating Steelers, Harrison showed he’s still got it toward the end of our long interview. I asked him if he still follows the Steelers and the NFL. He said he enjoys football, especially playing for the Steelers. Ultimately, he said, it’s a job. “Do you watch people write books?” he asked. Classic Harrison.

— LeBeau grew up in idyllic London, Ohio, and never lost his small-town flair. But man, to paraphrase the famous Dos Equis beer ad campaign, he has a case for the most interesting man in the world. The guy smoked weed with Michael Caine while they worked on a movie. He jammed with Garth Brooks at the legendary country singer’s Nashville home. He played with Arnold Palmer after “The King” invited LeBeau and Steelers OC Ken Whisenhunt to play at the Latrobe Country Club. After a day neither will forget, LeBeau called Whisenhunt. They were in separate cars on the way back to Pittsburgh. He asked him if he had been dreaming. “Dick,” Whisenhunt said, “I just wanted to pick up the phone to call you and see if it really happened.”

— Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith were both standout basketball players in high school. I asked Keisel if two guys who were as close as brothers had ever played against each other. I don’t remember the exact context of the game. I remember Keisel telling me that when they got there, he and Smith were by far the two biggest players. They were put on separate teams and pitted against each other. Neither left the gym that day without blood on their shirt. And they both agreed that Keisel versus Smith was a game that ended it all.

— Difficult is not the right word, but one challenge George and I had to overcome was LeBeau himself. He insisted that this book not about him. He wanted the focus to be on the 2008 defense and that glorious season. Typical LeBeau. We were able to find common ground – not that there was any controversy during this process – and I think we found a way to tell two great stories.

The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers defense and the incredible life of Dick LeBeau.