Fred Dean

Last updated

Fred Dean
Fred Dean.jpg
Dean with the San Francisco 49ers
No. 71, 74
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1952-02-24)February 24, 1952
Arcadia, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:October 14, 2020(2020-10-14) (aged 68)
Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Ruston (Ruston, Louisiana)
College: Louisiana Tech (1971–1974)
NFL draft: 1975  / round: 2 / pick: 33
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:92
Fumble recoveries:13
Interceptions:1
Interception yards:22
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Frederick Rudolph Dean (February 24, 1952 – October 14, 2020) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). A two-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler, he won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Contents

Dean played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. He was selected in the second round of the 1975 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. He was traded to San Francisco in 1981 due to a contract dispute. He is a member of both the Chargers Hall of Fame and 49ers Hall of Fame.

Early life

Dean was born in Arcadia, [1] the seat of Bienville Parish in north Louisiana. He grew up 20 miles (32 km) east in Ruston, where he attended the all-Black, segregated Lincoln High School. After integration, he moved as a junior to Ruston High, where he graduated. [1] [2]

College career

Dean was a standout at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, having spurned an opportunity to play for legendary coach Eddie Robinson at nearby Grambling State University, which at the time was sending African American players to the NFL on a yearly basis. [3] Playing mostly as an end, [4] Dean excelled as a defensive lineman for the Bulldogs and was a four-time all-conference selection and two-time conference defensive player of the year in the Southland Conference. [5] [6] He was an All-American as a senior in 1974. [6]

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

Dean was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 1975 NFL draft with the 33rd overall pick. Chargers coach Tommy Prothro initially projected him as a linebacker but eventually relented to Dean's wish to remain a lineman. [4] As a rookie, he had seven sacks and registered his career-high of 93 tackles. [7] He recorded 15+1⁄2 sacks in 1978. [4] In 1979, the Chargers won the AFC West division while leading the AFC in fewest points allowed (246). [8] Dean had nine sacks in 13 games and was named to the All-AFC team. [9] [10]

The Chargers again won the AFC West in 1980, with Dean teaming with fellow 1975 Charger draftees Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Louie Kelcher as the Chargers led the NFL in sacks (60). [11] [12] Dean had missed the first two games of the season after not reporting, but still finished the season with 10+1⁄2 sacks. [13] He and Johnson were named first-team All-Pro, with Kelcher being named second-team All-Pro. The trio along with Leroy Jones formed a defensive front that was nicknamed the Bruise Brothers. [11] [12]

San Francisco 49ers

In 1981, Dean was traded to the San Francisco 49ers due to a contract dispute with Chargers' ownership. [14] He complained that he was the lowest-paid sixth-year defensive lineman in 1980 and that his salary was below the average of all defensive linemen. [15] [16] Dean contended that he was making the same amount of money as his brother-in-law who was a truck driver. [17] Originally set to make $75,000 that season, [18] the 49ers renegotiated his contract to reportedly near $150,000 a year. [19] The Chargers' defense would not be the same afterwards, and Don "Air" Coryell's Chargers teams are now most remembered for its high-scoring, pass-oriented offense that did not have enough defense to make it to a Super Bowl. In 2013, U-T San Diego called the Chargers trading Dean "perhaps the biggest blunder in franchise history". [20] "I can't say how much it affected us, because we did make it to the AFC championship game," said Johnson of the Chargers without Dean. "But I could say if we had more pass rush from the corner, it might've been different". [4]

With San Francisco, Dean was used as a pass-rush specialist, playing only when the 49ers switched from a 3–4 defense to a 4–3 or a 4–2 nickel. [18] [21] He joined the team mid-season for Game 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. [22] After only a couple of practices, he played and was still able to record two sacks and apply pressure and repeatedly hurry Danny White in a 45–14 win by the 49ers. His performance was noted by author Tom Danyluk as "the greatest set of downs I have ever seen unleashed by a pass rusher". [23] In what had been a game of possum, Bill Walsh, the 49er head coach, said to John Madden, who covered the game, "Fred (Dean) just got here... If he plays, he won't play much". [24] But he played the whole game. [25]

Two weeks later at home against the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers won 20–17 for their first-ever win against the Rams at home in Candlestick Park, as Dean sacked Pat Haden 4+1⁄2 times. [18] Dean was named the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year with 12 sacks while playing in 11 games for the 49ers. [26] The 49ers went on to win Super Bowl XVI that year, and Steve Sabol (NFL Films) is quoted in 2006 as saying that Dean's acquisition was the last meaningful in-season trade, in that it affected the destination of the Lombardi Trophy. [9] San Francisco, which was 3–2 when Dean arrived, won 13 of their final 14 games, including the playoffs. [27]

In 1983, Dean recorded a career-high 17+1⁄2 sacks to lead the NFC and recorded a then-NFL record of six in one game, setting that mark during the 49ers’ 27–0 shutout of the New Orleans Saints on November 13, 1983. [28]

Dean was also a key player on the 1984 squad than won Super Bowl XIX. He was reunited with his former Charger teammates Johnson, Kelcher and Billy Shields, who were acquired by the 49ers. [14]

Legacy

Dean's uniform with the San Francisco 49ers at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro Football Hall of Fame (24937975708).jpg
Dean's uniform with the San Francisco 49ers at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Dean ended his NFL career with 93 unofficial sacks, according to the Professional Football Researchers Association. [29] Dean was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, [28] when his bust, sculpted by Scott Myers, was unveiled. [30] [31] [32] He was also named to both the Chargers' 40th and 50th anniversary teams and inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame. [33] [34] [35]

Dean was inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. [5] [36] In 2009, Dean was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. [6]

Later years

After his football career, Dean was a minister in his hometown, Ruston. [37]

Dean died from COVID-19 while being airlifted from a hospital in West Monroe, Louisiana, to Jackson, Mississippi, on October 14, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was 68. [21] [38]

Dean is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated hits to the head. [39] [40]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Chargers</span> National Football League team in Inglewood, California

The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Chargers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team plays its home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which it shares with the Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XVI</span> 1982 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XVI was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1981 season. The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 26–21 to win their first Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXIX</span> 1995 edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXIX was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion San Diego Chargers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1994 season. The 49ers defeated the Chargers by the score of 49–26, becoming the first team to win five Super Bowl championships. The game was played on January 29, 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Harrison</span> American football player and commentator (born 1972)

Rodney Scott Harrison is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Chargers, where he spent his first nine seasons, and was a member of the Patriots in his following six. Since leaving the NFL in 2009, he has served as a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Freeney</span> American football player (born 1980)

Dwight Jason Freeney is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive end and linebacker for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), most notably as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. With the Colts, Freeney won Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears, and made seven Pro Bowls. He also played for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.

Leslie Claudis O'Neal is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 13 years in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers before finishing with the St. Louis Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection during his pro career.

William Stanley Humphries is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. He played high school football at Southwood High School and college football at Northeast Louisiana. He was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL draft.

The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League (NFL). Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that weekend off. This marked the first time since the 1966 NFL season and the AFL seasons of 1966 and 1967 that there were byes in week 1.

The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement. Paul Tagliabue was eventually chosen to succeed him, taking over on November 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary "Big Hands" Johnson</span> American football player (1952–2010)

Gary Lynn "Big Hands" Johnson was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was a four-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He played the majority of his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, and he was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louie Kelcher</span> American football player (born 1953)

Louis James Kelcher is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL), spending most of his career with the San Diego Chargers. He was a four-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Kelcher was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame and is a member of their 40th and 50th anniversary teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Coryell</span> American football coach (1924–2010)

Donald David Coryell was an American football coach. He coached in high school, college, and the professional ranks; his most notable NCAA post was with the San Diego State Aztecs, then he moved on to the National Football League (NFL), first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973 to 1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1986. Well known for his innovations in football's passing game, in particular the Air Coryell offense he created with the Chargers, Coryell was the first head coach to win more than 100 games at both the collegiate and professional levels. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1994, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Smith (American football, born 1930)</span> American football player and coach (1930–2011)

Jerome Anthony Smith was an American football player and coach. Jerry was born in Dayton, Ohio and attended Chaminade High School, graduating in 1948. At Chaminade he played tight end and later in 1982 was elected to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epic in Miami</span> American football playoff game in 1982

The Epic in Miami was the National Football League AFC divisional playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins that took place on January 2, 1982 in the Miami Orange Bowl. The game, won by the Chargers in overtime, 41–38, is one of the most famous in National Football League lore because of the enormity of scoring, the conditions on the field, the performances of players on both teams, and the numerous records that were set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Chargers</span> American football team (1961–2017)

The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego from 1961 until the end of the 2016 season, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franchise played its inaugural 1960 season. The team is now known as the Los Angeles Chargers.

Leroy Jones was an American professional football player who was a defensive end. He played the majority of his 11-year career with the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 San Diego Chargers season</span> 1975 NFL team season

The 1975 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's sixth season in the National Football League (NFL) and its 16th overall. The team were seeking to improve on their 5–9 record in 1974, but they lost their first eleven games amidst home attendances that dipped under 30,000.

The Bruise Brothers were a group of American football players who played on the defensive line for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). The foursome, consisting of Fred Dean, Gary Johnson, Louie Kelcher, and Leroy Jones, formed one of the most dominant lines of their era. The Chargers selected Johnson, Kelcher, and Dean in the first two rounds of the 1975 NFL draft, and traded for Jones the following year. They helped San Diego lead the league in sacks in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Jones (defensive tackle, born 1994)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Christopher Deshun Jones is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time All-Pro member, and a five-time Pro Bowler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Warner (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Federico Anthony Warner is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 "Fred Dean Enshrinement speech". ProFootballHOF.com. August 2, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  2. ↑ "The life and career of NFL Hall of Famer, Louisiana Tech alum Fred Dean ahead of 49ers' date in Super Bowl LIV". KLFY. KYVE. January 23, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Dean Readies for the Hall". 49ers.com. July 26, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, Jim (July 30, 2008). "Fred Dean: Situational pass-rusher made most of his opportunities". The State Journal-Register. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "La. Tech to retire Fred Dean's number". Shreveport Times. July 11, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "2009 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class Announced". National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. May 12, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Hall of Fame Class of 2007". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 3, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ Center, Bill (July 1, 2010). "Don Coryell, ex-Chargers, Aztecs coach, dies at 85". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Thomas, Jim (July 30, 2008). "Fred Dean: Trade to 49ers proves beneficial for player and team". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved July 31, 2017. It's been called the trade of all in-season football trades by NFL Films' Steve Sabol.
  10. ↑ "Fred Dean's Career Highlights". ProFootballHOF.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Grambling State University Loses Two Football Legends". FoxSports.com. Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. August 11, 2010. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010.
  12. 1 2 "No. 16: Chargers' best draft class". ESPN.com. March 28, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2011. The 2001 class was good, but the 1975 class ranks the best. San Diego had four of the first 33 picks in the draft, and the Chargers selected three defensive linemen that would form the nucleus of "The Bruise Brothers" and once formed three-fourths of the AFC Pro Bowl defensive line.(subscription required)
  13. ↑ Smith, Rick (1981). 1981 San Diego Chargers Facts Book. San Diego Chargers. p. 28.
  14. 1 2 "Say It Ain't So". cnnsi.com. January 28, 2001. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Dean Goes to Chargers". The New York Times. October 3, 1981. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Chargers six-year defensive end Fred Dean, complaining his salary..." United Press International. September 30, 1981. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  17. ↑ Wilson, Bernie (July 31, 2008). "Charger-turned-Niner Fred Dean answers Hall's call". USA Today. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
  18. 1 2 3 Zimmerman, Paul (November 2, 1981). "The 49ers Are Really Panning Out". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  19. ↑ Pomerantz, Gary (November 10, 1981). "Quarterbacks Facing 49ers Make the Dean's List". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  20. ↑ Krasovic, Tom (June 5, 2013). "Chargers had a Fearsome Foursome, too". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017.
  21. 1 2 Traub, Alex (October 17, 2020). "Fred Dean, Sack Specialist Who Ignited 49ers Dynasty, Dies at 68". New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  22. ↑ Killion, Ann (October 11, 2020). "Keep 49ers great Fred Dean in your thoughts as he battles coronavirus". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ Danyluk, Tom; Zimmerman, Paul (January 1, 2005). The Super '70s. Mad Uke Publishing. ISBN   9780977038305.
  24. ↑ Madden, John; Anderson, Dave (October 1, 1987). One knee equals two feet: (and everything else you need to know about football). Jove Books. ISBN   9780515091939.
  25. ↑ Conetzkey, Chris (August 1, 2008). "Defensive end Fred Dean: In the words of ..." ESPN. Retrieved July 31, 2017. 10 or 12 plays turned into a whole game against the Dallas Cowboys
  26. ↑ Gay, Nancy (February 3, 2008). "49ers' Dean is headed to Hall of Fame". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  27. ↑ Branch, Eric (October 15, 2020). "49ers' Hall of Fame pass rusher Fred Dean dies at 68 after coronavirus infection" . San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2020. In 1981, the 49ers, coming off a 6-10 season, acquired Dean in a trade from San Diego when they were 3-2. They proceeded to win 13 of their last 14 games, including the Super Bowl.
  28. 1 2 "Fred Dean | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site". www.profootballhof.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  29. ↑ Magee, Jerry (February 2, 2008). "Dean awaits call from Canton". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. D-3. During a career made up of six seasons in San Diego and five in San Francisco, he had 93 sacks, by the count of John Turney of the Pro Football Researchers Association.
  30. ↑ Price, Taylor (December 2, 2008). "Fred Dean: Life After the Hall of Fame". 49ers.com. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  31. ↑ Gosset, Brian (July 27, 2015). "Granbury sculptor says making Hall of Fame bust of Haley 'special'". Star-Telegram. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Fred Dean with his wife Pam, and his bust". 49ers.com. August 3, 2008. Archived from the original (Photo) on August 1, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Chargers 50th anniversary team". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on December 18, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Chargers Honor Lincoln". Lewiston Tribune. October 24, 2000. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  35. ↑ 2010 San Diego Chargers Media Guide (PDF). San Diego Chargers. 2010. p. 231. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 22, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Fred Dean". Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  37. ↑ Krasovic, Tom (October 15, 2020). "Fred Dean led 49ers' Super Bowl run after Chargers' Klein wouldn't pay star wages". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  38. ↑ Crabtree, Curtis. "Reports: Hall of Fame defensive end Fred Dean dies of COVID-19 at 68". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  39. ↑ "The driving force behind Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)". Concussion Legacy Foundation. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  40. ↑ Ken Belson and Benjamin Mueller (June 20, 2023). "Collective Force of Head Hits, Not Just the Number of Them, Increases Odds of C.T.E. The largest study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy to date found that the cumulative force of head hits absorbed by players in their careers is the best predictor of future brain disease". The New York Times . Retrieved July 2, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.