Top 10 Worst Draft Picks

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has Leftridge named as No. 3 on the list behind 1991 pick Huey Richardson, LB, Florida — Cut by rookie coach Bill Cowher in 1992 — and 1996 Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T — Cut by Cowher when he reported to camp out of shape in 1999. But, what they don’t realize is that Leftridge signed with Pitt after what he said was a tricky situation with his agent, specifically “the people I trusted most had screwed me.”

In his autobiography, Leftridge mentions that he was told by his friend and agent that Pitt was going to pick him in the fifth or sixth round, so he signed for $20,000 with his “friend” guarding the phone mysteriously. He was in shock when he picked up a newspaper and it said Pitt had picked him in the first round. When he got back home, the then AFL Miami Dolphins had been trying to reach him all week and wanted to know why he signed so fast and could have possibly gotten more money.

Leftridge felt betrayed by his agent for this situation, possibly contributing to his view of the league. He wrote, “They just wanted me to accept slave money, be appreciative, keep my mouth shut, and accept it.” When he reported to camp, Buddy Parker, the coach who drafted him, was gone and Bill Austin was now head coach. Leftridge said, “upon meeting Austin, it was obvious we didn’t like each other, right off.”

There is more to this story and the truth will soon be known.

In the article HelmutHut.com says:

“A new and creative helmet logo was introduced for 1965, and actually unveiled in the Liberty Bowl game the previous December, a yellow State Of West Virginia outlined in white with blue, white-outlined WVU lettering extending vertically and diagonally through the state. On the gold shell, it was very different for the time period. Corum was recruiting well and looking forward to 1965. The only negative were whispers of player misbehavior off-the-field that would become louder as the year wore on. On the field, newcomer Garrett Ford joined fullback Dick Leftridge in a devastating backfield, the soph gaining 894 yards with Leftridge adding almost 800 more. The tank-like Leftridge earned his spot as the Steelers number one draft choice in 1966 but his pro career never got untracked due to an inability to keep his body weight down. He reported to the Steelers at approximately 300 pounds and appeared in four games rushing but eight times for a total of seventeen yards with one fumble in that single season. He was out of football after the ‘66 season and passed away a few years ago. QB Allen McCune who had attended the same West Virginia East Bank High School as basketball great Jerry West, had talented receivers in Bob Dunlevy, John Finnerty, and wingback Dick Rader. Tackle Ken Woodeshick and Larry Canterbury were leaders up front. 1965’s 6-4 record was highlighted by a 4-0 Southern Conference mark and a huge offensive display in a 63-48 wing-ding against Pitt so Corum was confident of continuing his winning ways. Unfortunately, criticism continued about his players’ indiscretions until WVU President Paul A. Miller, a 1939 West Virginia grad, pushed Corum to resign as head coach and then reassigned him to the School Of Physical Education where he taught until his retirement.”

HelmutHut.com

From October 18, 1965 issue of Sports Illustrated

A deliberately positive effort was also made to bring in good athletes. The first two — Fullback Dick Leftridge and Guard Roger Alford — are seniors now. They call themselves The Pioneers and Leftridge says that when their sons go to West Virginia they will be known as The Sons of the Pioneers. Leftridge is a high-humored, powerfully built 220-pounder from Hinton, W. Va., one of 10 children in a railroader’s family. He once asked Corum for permission to go home for the weekend. “Be back by 10 a.m. Monday,” he was told. At 10 on Monday Leftridge phoned. “It’s snowing, and I don’t have a way back,” he said. Corum exploded. Five minutes later Leftridge walked into his office. “When I heard how mad you were, Coach,” he said, “I took a jet.”

Leftridge is in shape for the first time in his life. Previously he had a problem with tables — he never wanted to get up from one. When he is in shape he is a slashing runner (369 yards in 66 carries so far this fall) and an even better blocker. “I love to hit the big guys,” he says.

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Living Through History:

Brown v. Board of Education and WVU

By Kathy Deweese

I was one of the five African American students on the campus at that time. I entered the University in January 1959 and completed the degree requirements in January 1963. As students Margo and I were very much affected by the Brown v. Board of Education decision. There were many incidents that we encountered as students at WVU which Betty Boyd, the dean of women students and the Director of Student Affairs, Joe Gluck, had to intervene in to help us with. Some of the incidents that we were involved in also came to the attention of the President of WVU. Ultimately, our situations which were resolved made it better for the African American students who came after us. Both Margo and I assisted the University in recruiting Roger Alford and Richard (Dick) Leftridge to the football team at WVU.

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