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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.

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 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. He was the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for their first 4 years, 1960 to 1963. He was selected for the Pro Bowl four times in 1955, 1957, 1958, and 1962, and was the leading NFL passer in 1958. 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.