| No. 82 | |
| Wide Receiver | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: December 18, 1964 | |
| Place of birth: Aurora, Illinois | |
| Career information | |
| College: Chadron State | |
| NFL Draft: 1989 / Round: 3 / Pick: 82 | |
| Debuted in 1989 for the [[{{{debutteam}}}]] | |
| Last played in 1997 for the [[{{{finalteam}}}]] | |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Receptions | 219 |
| Receiving Yards | 3,416 |
| Touchdowns | 23 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Don Lee Beebe (born December 18, 1964) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Buffalo Bills (1989–1994), Carolina Panthers (1995) and the Green Bay Packers (1996–1997) of the NFL, and is considered one of the fastest players in NFL history.[1]
Early years
Beebe attended Kaneland High School in Kaneville, IL where he lettered in basketball, track and football. He was drafted by the Bills out of unheralded Chadron State College (after transferring from Western Illinois University) in the third round (82nd pick overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft.[2] He created a sensation at the 1989 pre-draft combine, posting times in speed and agility drills that were the marvel of the camp. Most of the coaches and staff were dumbfounded as to where he came from and how he got invited.
Professional career
In his 9 NFL seasons, Don Beebe caught 219 passes for 3,416 yards, rushed for 28 yards, returned 81 kickoffs for 1,735 yards, and scored 25 touchdowns (23 receiving, 1 kickoff return, 1 fumble recovery). He appeared in six Super Bowls as a player (XXV, XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII with the Buffalo Bills; XXXI and XXXII with the Green Bay Packers), which is an NFL record that he shares with former Bills teammate Mike Lodish. While Buffalo lost its four consecutive title games, Beebe did win an NFL championship in his first year with the Packers (Super Bowl XXXI).
Beebe is well known for making one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history. It occurred during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXVII, after Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett recovered a Buffalo Bills fumble. As Lett advanced the ball towards the end zone he began to celebrate prematurely by holding the ball out to his right side. Although the Bills were losing 52-17 at the time, a relentless Don Beebe streaked down the field and knocked the ball out of Lett's hands just before the goal line.[3] The loose ball went through the end zone and out of bounds, causing a touchback and preventing a Dallas touchdown (which would have given them a Super Bowl-record 58 points). Beebe also caught 2 passes for 50 yards, including a 40 yard touchdown reception from Frank Reich earlier in the game.
Beebe has always been highly respected by players and coaches because of his strong work ethic and character. He was honored as an "Unsung Hero" in 1996 at the NFL Players Association Awards Banquet.
Post-retirement
In 1998, Beebe founded House of Speed, LLC,[4] a company that specializes in training athletes in the essentials of top performance, speed and character. House of Speed began franchise operations in 2006 and has locations in eleven states. Beebe also works with several professional, collegiate and amateur sports organizations in the area of speed, including the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Rams, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and Club Fusion Volleyball.
In 2004, Beebe began coaching varsity football for Aurora Christian School in Aurora, IL.[5] He led the Aurora Christian Eagles to the school's first State Championship appearance in 2008, where the team finished as 4A state runner-up after losing to Bloomington Central Catholic 37-28.[6] Three years later Beebe and the Eagles returned to the finals, this time winning the 2011 IHSA Class 3A State Championship after a 34-7 win over Mt. Carmel.
In 2012, Beebe lead the Eagles to a second straight IHSA Class 3A State Championship by defeating Tolono-Unity 42-12.
Beebe has also written a book with Denise Crosby titled, "Six Rings from Nowhere".
References
- ↑ Cassilo, David. "Former NFL wide receiver shares speed advice". USATODAYhss.com. http://www.usatodayhss.com/news/article/former-nfl-wide-receiver-shares-speed-advice. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ↑ "1989 - Round 3". NFL.com. National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=1989#round3. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ↑ Jackson, Kevin. "100 GREATEST SUPER BOWL MOMENTS #11 All hustle". espn.com. ESPN. http://espn.go.com/page2/s/superbowlmoments25.html. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ↑ "About". House of Speed. http://www.houseofspeed.com/about-us/. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ↑ "Head Coach: Don Beebe". Aurora Christian Schools. http://www.aurorachristian.org/athletics/football.cfm. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ↑ "Maxpress". Aurora Christian Football Stats. http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/aurora-christian-eagles-%28aurora,il%29/football/previous_seasons.htm. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
External links
- Don Beebe's Official Website
- Don Beebe at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- Beebe's stats at databasefootball.com
- House Of Speed Sports and training performance company run by Beebe
- ESPN Page 2, 100 Greatest Super Bowl Moments
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