Aug. 3, 2008
RUSTON - Former Louisiana Tech legend Fred Dean was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday in Canton, Ohio along with five other NFL greats during a ceremony held on Fawcett Field.
Dean joined an all-star cast of greats in Darrell Green, Gary Zimmerman, Emmitt Thomas, Ark Monk and Andre Tippett as the Class of 2008.
Drafted out of Louisiana Tech with the 33rd pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Dean went on to record a stellar 11-year NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. He was a member of two of the 49ers Super Bowl champion teams helping the organization win Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX.
Dean said he hopes the honor is something the entire community of Ruston and Louisiana Tech can enjoy.
"For myself, that's the best thing about this honor, the fact that it's a time when Ruston, Louisiana Tech and everyone back home in Louisiana can celebrate along with me," said Dean, the former Ruston High School who was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. "This is as much for the city of Ruston, for Louisiana Tech and everyone who played a big part in making this great honor possible as it is for me.
"While I was the one who went on the field and played and received some nice honors and all along the way, it's really the people who supported and believed in me who should also be receiving this award. Without them, this whole thing wouldn't be happening."
During his days at Louisiana Tech (1971-74), Dean helped lead the Bulldogs to four straight Southland Conference titles and a combined mark of 44-4. Tech also won the 1972 national title with a 35-0 win over Tennessee Tech in the Grantland Rice Bowl and the 1973 national title with a 34-0 win over Western Kentucky in the Division II title game.
The fierce competitor on the field developed a reputation during his career as opposing quarterbacks feared the pass-rushing, play-making skills of the three-time Louisiana Tech All-American.
"He's the best pass rusher I've ever seen," said former 49ers defensive line coach, Bill McPherson. "He's like a thoroughbred who races only on Sunday. When things are right, he's awesome. You just put him out there and watch him do his stuff."
Dean, who recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks one season, said his philosophy on the field was simple.
"First I get the guy in front of me out of my way," Dean said. "Then I go after the quarterback."
And go after the quarterback he did. Although sacks weren't an official stat in the NFL until 1982, Dean unofficially recorded almost 100 of them during his career, including the 17.5 in 1983.
And even more important than the statistics was the fact that Dean earned the respect of everyone in the NFL during his career.
"Still he's the strongest guy I ever faced," said Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz. Dean set an NFL record (since broken) of six sacks in one game in a 27-0 win over New Orleans on Nov. 13, 1983.
"When Fred Dean is in on a play, I admit it is nothing but an all-out assault on the quarterback," said former 49ers head coach Bill Walsh.
However, one of the most feared defensive linemen in NFL history said he would show a more emotional side during his induction.
"I'll be thinking about my mom (Rosie Lee), who passed away four years ago and was my best friend and supporter, and I'll start reflecting back on how much she meant to me in my life and athletic career," he said. "My father, Rural Dean, is nearly 90 now and he's still with us and has been such a big part of my life, and then there will be my wife (Pam) and children and family members and friends.
"And it's going to be tough to keep from getting really emotional and making it through all of this, but everything I say will be from the heart. All of the inductees have five minutes to make their acceptance speech, and I figure all of us are going to probably slow down, hesitate and take a few deep breaths before we finish. But we'll make it."
An estimated 250 supporters of Dean, ranging from family members to friends and former teammates, were present for the ceremonies that were televised live on ESPN and the NFL Network.
