Ed Beard Death – Former NFL Player and Coach Ed Beard of Chesapeake Virginia has sadly passed away. He died at the age of 83 with family by his side. On Monday 16th January 2023, the news of his death was announced by Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in a publication that states “The Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the passing of 2002 VSHF inductee, Ed Beard”. The circumstances surrounding the actual cause of Ed Beard’s death has not been released at this time.
Ed Beard Education and Early Life
Although Beard’s high school in South Norfolk, Virginia, Oscar F. Smith, did not have a wrestling team, he was named to the All-American team and won the state heavyweight wrestling championship in 1957. He graduated from Oscar F. Smith in 1959. It’s the first and only time a wrestler has ever won the tournament. In 1960, Beard completed his post-graduate year at the Staunton Military Academy, where he was a standout athlete and a respected leader on and off the field.
Beard played college football for two years at the University of Tennessee before enlisting in the military. While he was serving in the Army, he was recognized as the best player on the Army football squad. After being picked by the San Francisco 49ers in 1964, Beard served as a special teams captain and middle linebacker with the team.
Ed Beard Career
Beard was a part of the 49ers for eight seasons, during which time the team won three consecutive NFC West division titles. Beard won the Len Eshmont award in 1971 and made history as the first NFL special teams captain. Beard’s playing career was cut short by injuries, but he went on to teach linebackers for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints and later become defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. In 1996, Beard, along with fellow alums Steve DeLong and Kenny Easley, were honored by having Oscar Smith High School’s football field renamed as the Beard-DeLong-Easley Field.
In 2002, Beard was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Former players from the 49ers, including him, were honored on Alumni Day on November 5, 2006. Beard retired from professional football and went into the construction business, where he became active in promoting country music in the greater Hampton Roads area.
Ed Beard’s obituary will be released by the family
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