Jim LeClair

NFL player


|Caption=
ImageWidth=
DateOfBirth=Birth date and age|1950|10|30|mf=y
Birthplace=St. Paul, Minnesota
DateOfDeath=
College=North Dakota
Position=Linebacker
DraftedYear=1972
DraftedRound=3
ProBowls=1
DatabaseFootball=LECLAJIM02
PFR=LeClJi01
years=1972-1983
1984-1985
teams=Cincinnati Bengals
New Jersey Generals (USFL)
CBS=
CollegeHOF=70049

James LeClair (born October 30, 1950 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals. He later played in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals.

LeClair began his intercollegiate football career at the University of Minnesota, Crookston while it was a 2-year university.

LeClair later played college football at the University of North Dakota, where he was an All-American. As a senior, he recorded 187 tackles, 3 interceptins, four fumble recoveries fumbles, and 11 forced fumbles. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. After his college career, LeClair was selected in the third round of the NFL draft in 1972. He spent the next 2 years mainly as a starter on the special teams unit, but became a starter on defense in 1974 and remained so for the rest of his career, recording 10 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. He also made the pro bowl in 1976.

In addition to his football career, LeClair was a member of the United States Army Reserve from 1972 to 1977. In 1975, he became famous for wrestling a bear at the Cincinnati Convention Center as promotional stunt for the Army reserve during his two weeks of annual training. LeClair fought the Bear to a draw.

After his NFL career, LeClair became the head coach of the Mayville State University football team from 1986-1988. He later became the mayor of Mayville and currently runs and insurance agency in the city.