| Fred Dean has become the first modern-era native of
northeastern Louisiana to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Dean was an all-state defender at Ruston High, then
all-conference for Louisiana Tech before a standout career with the
NFL's San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.
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| “My heart is fluttering; I’m
still trying to get over this,” Dean told reporters, just moments
after learning of his induction. “I’m ecstatic behind it all. I
didn’t work for this; I worked for the love of the
game.”
Dean, who was born in Arcadia, played on five
divisional winners, in three NFC championship games and on two Super
Bowl championship squads.
“That SOB was a one-man wrecking
crew,” former Tech defensive assistant Pat Collins said. “Fred Dean
is one of the greatest football players I’ve ever had the pleasure
of working with. He deserves it. He had a big heart, with great
speed and great strength.”
Dean was selected as the 33rd
player overall in the 1975 NFL Draft by San Diego, where he played
from 1975-81. He was then traded mid-season to the 49ers, and
starred there from 1981-85.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection
(1979, 1980-81, 1983), Dean helped San Diego win the AFC West twice
before being traded to San Francisco, where he won Super Bowls XVI
and XIX. Dean had 93 career sacks, according to John Turney of
the Pro Football Researchers Association. He earned all-conference
honors four times -- twice with each of his pro clubs.
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Originally published February 2,
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