No signs of stopping

The first words from LeBeau when he walked into every morning meeting with the Steelers, according to his former players and colleagues, were, “Men, it’s a great day to be alive.” He’s continued that tradition in Tennessee, and he still recites Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“’Twas the Night Before Christmas …”) for the team every winter, which he first did for the Steelers in 1992.

“That’s one thing I do miss a lot,” Heyward said.

Even at 80, LeBeau doesn’t seem to have missed a step. “Birthdays don’t mean anything to Dick,” Priatko said, and Porter explained, “We won’t allow him to get old.” The coach continues to evolve with the times, adopting text messaging even when a phone call is more his speed. Each year at the NFL combine, LeBeau rallies his former players and coaching colleagues for a steakhouse dinner together in downtown Indianapolis.

At this stage, is it any surprise LeBeau hasn’t yet called it quits?

“No,” Heyward said, “he could go to 100. He loves this game. He loves the players. Any player would run through a wall for him.”

“I think he’ll probably do it as long as he can, and I don’t blame him,” Butler added. “He should. Think about how long he played — he’s in the Hall of Fame for his playing ability — and then coached. He’s been a great asset to this league, and a great ambassador of this league.”

Farrior feels indebted to LeBeau, whose defensive scheme revitalized the linebacker’s career, so he figures his birthday surprise was a small form of repayment. Heyward wonders where he’d be now had LeBeau not drafted him six years ago. Perhaps no one, however, is more grateful than Butler, LeBeau’s longtime colleague and longtime companion on the golf course.

“Dick has been quite an influence,” Butler said. “Had a chance to coach with him for a long time. Went to three Super Bowls and won two. Shoot, that was a great ride for a long time.”