Eddie LeBaron: War Hero and Football Legend

Before there was Doug Flutie & Russell Wilson proving that quarterbacks short in stature could play in the NFL. There was Eddie LeBaron who paved the way or the "Little General" as he was affectionly called.

The shortest quarterback in NFL history passed away April 1st at the age of 85.

At a diminutive 5' 7'', 160 pounds, LeBaron first bust out on the scene while attending the College of Pacific in Stockton, California. As well as quarterback, he played defense and special teams and often played the whole 60 minutes of a game. He became three time All-American and would later be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Despite his accomplisments at the College level, LeBaron was not highly drafted. The Washington Redskins ended up picking him in the tenth round of the 1950 draft. However before even taking a snap in a game, he was called into military service.

Mr. LeBaron had joined the Marines Corp reserves while in college. "World War II had just broken out when I began my teen years, and my heroes were the great college football players of the day and the Marines who were fighting at places like Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. I’d entered high school at age 12, and quickly became the starting tailback. But I was too young to join the Marines when I graduated, so I went to the College of the Pacific, where I ultimately made all-American. At 18, I joined the Marine Corps Reserve in nearby Stockton." Lebaron said in a 2009 interview.

LeBaron was eventually sent to the front lines of the Korean War. As a 2nd Lieutenant, he would be wounded twice in combat. He received two purple hearts and a bronze star before returning back to Washington.

In Washington, LeBaron would go on to replace aging veteran and future hall of famer Sammy Baugh. He played well enough to garnish All-Rookie Honors. He would go on to play seven seasons with the Redskins and make 3 Pro-Bowls during that span.

The Dallas Cowboys entered the league as an expansion team in 1960. They were looking for a franchise quarterback and Coach Tom Landry set his eyes on LeBaron. They traded their first round pick to Washington in exchange for Mr. LeBaron.

LeBaron would go on to be the starting quarterback for the Cowboys first three seasons before retiring and passing the reigns to Don Meridith. He would make the Pro-Bowl in 1962 for the last time.

He is survived by his wife, Doralee; his sons, Edward III, Richard and William; and five grandchildren.

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