🇺🇸 Most Badass Football Players: Combat Veterans Edition #8 Eddie LeBaron Eddie LeBaron, a 5-foot-7 QB nicknamed “The Little General” who earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Korea, was one badass football player. Born January 7, 1930, in San Rafael, California, LeBaron starred at the University of the Pacific. The Washington Redskins drafted him in the 10th round of the 1950 NFL Draft. Before he could begin his professional career, he answered the call to serve. He became a Marine Corps second lieutenant and deployed to Korea as a rifle platoon commander with B Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. He may be the only Marine ever sent directly into combat without undergoing standard military target practice. He arrived late to camp due to playing in a college All-Star game. During the Battle of the Punchbowl in 1951, specifically during the brutal fighting for Hill 673, he led his men through intense combat against Chinese forces. LeBaron willingly exposed himself to the enemy, sprinting across open, heavily targeted terrain to establish direct contact with a mortar platoon's forward observation post. Minutes later, an adjacent assaulting rifle platoon lost its commander to enemy fire and began to fracture under heavy casualties. LeBaron immediately ran into the crossfire, assumed command of the leaderless Marines, reorganized them under pressure, and successfully resumed the uphill assault. He was wounded twice by shrapnel during his tour, once in the leg and once in the shoulder, but continued to lead his Marines. For his courage and leadership under fire, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart. LeBaron later reflected on the weight of command, saying: “Being a commander during a war is somewhat like being a quarterback in that you have control over a bunch of other guys, and you don’t want to make a mistake on their behalf.” LeBaron was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in 1952 and finally began his NFL career. He won Rookie of the Year in 1952. He played 11 seasons, seven with the Redskins and four with the expansion Dallas Cowboys. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and threw for over 13,000 yards. Eddie LeBaron is an American Badass. Thank you, Lieutenant! 🫡🇺🇸

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