Defensive end Fred Dean powered his teams with defensive prowess.

During his days as an explosive defensive end, Fred Dean’s specialty was making quarterbacks tremble and rushing them into making poor decisions—that is, when he wasn’t plowing them over completely. Leading his Louisiana Tech teams by pulverizing opposing offenses with 392 career tackles, the Bulldogs made a 1973 Division II National Championship appearance along with capturing four consecutive Southland Conference titles.

After contributing to Louisiana Tech’s 1972 Rice Bowl victory, becoming a 1974 All-American pick and earning an overall record of 44-4 with the Bulldogs, Dean was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the NFL’s 1975 draft. In concert with three other hard-hitting defensive players the Chargers’ defensive frontline collectively led the NFL in sacks (60) and was locally nicknamed the “Bruise Brothers”, coined as a parity of popular act, The Blues Brothers.

Dean spent six years beating up on opponents’ offenses as a pro before 49ers Coach Bill Walsh sacrificed two draft picks to the Chargers in order to snag Fred Dean. However, this dynamite tackler was disappointed to learn he would have to trade his days of playing every snap for capitalizing as a standup defensive end, a pass-rushing specialist. “I was used to playing every down,” Dean remembers. “I didn't really want to go that route at first. But then I thought about what he was saying and it made a lot of sense. And I went on to try it out for myself, and I liked it.”

Dean’s incredible success in his new role led to his whopping 11 sacks in 12 games, rendering him indispensable as the 49ers made their run towards a first Super Bowl victory and earning Coach Walsh’s acquisition of Dean what many call “the greatest midseason trade ever.”

The defensive boost Walsh sought was more tremendous than anyone could have imagined as Dean became the NFL’s first “elephant” pass rusher, paving the way for more standout pass rushers who would follow in his footsteps. With his recent inductions into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame, Dean has much to celebrate yet insists on crediting his intuitive coach. “There’s no question in my mind at all—it was Coach Walsh who came up with the idea.”