Robert Bean (football)

Robert D. Bean Jr. (born January 6, 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American Canadian football cornerback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Sporting the best hands in the secondary, having picked off four passes last year in his spot starts.Fact|date=July 2007 A former NFLer with 34 games under his belt with Cincinnati and Jacksonville, he's big by CFL defensive back standards -- 6-foot-0, 185 -- and is one of the league's most underrated players.Fact|date=July 2007

Acquired by Winnipeg as a free agent on April 19, 2006, Bean had an auspicious debut in his first season as a member of the Blue Bombers. He led all Bomber defenders in interceptions with four for 35 yards, including a season-long for 29 yards, and was also among the team leaders in pass knockdowns with four. Bean also had two tackles for losses for three yards, 22 defensive tackles and two special teams tackles. He was part of a defensive unit that ranked second or third in the league in average gain per pass allowed, fewest yards net passing allowed, average yards passing per game allowed and lowest percentage of pass completions allowed. Bean was named the CJOB Defensive Player of the Game on two occasions (Week 6 @ Edmonton and Week 14 @ Calgary).

As an American football cornerback, Bean was the 5th round (133rd overall) pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2000 NFL Draft. He ended up playing in 12 games for the Bengals that season. He finished the year with 41 defensive tackles, six assisted tackles, one interception and one pass defended.

;2002—Jacksonville Jaguars:Bean signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and appeared in five games in 2002. He finished with two defensive tackles and one pass defended.;2004—B.C. Lions;2004—Los Angeles Avengers:Bean attended training camp with the B.C. Lions, but didn't make the final roster. He later rejoined the team as a member of its practice squad. Bean signed with the Lions following a stint with the Arena Football League's L.A. Avengers.;2005—San Jose SaberCats:Played with San Jose of the Arena Football League.

High school years

Bean attended Lakeside High School in Atlanta, Georgia and was a letterman in football track and basketball his entire high school career. In football, he was a four-year starter at wide receiver, cornerback and free safety. To this date he holds the triple jump record from his senior year of 1996.

College

Bean spent two seasons at Mississippi State University following a two-year stint at Georgia Military College. He played in 23 games for the Bulldogs. He earned All-SEC second-team honors in 1998 after registering five interceptions, two blocked kicks, nine passes defended and 33 defensive tackles. Bean started all 11 games at left cornerback in 1999. He finished the season with four blocked punts, 44 defensive tackles, including 31 solo tackles, one interception, 13 passes defended and a fumble recovery. He added a blocked field goal in the Peach Bowl.

Personal

Bean and his wife Mimi live in Atlanta, Ga. in the off-season with their three daughters – Brittney, Tianni and Maya. They are the co-owners of G.L.A.M. Squad PR Models & Media, a P.R. firm that works with several professional athletes and entertainers. In his spare time, Bean likes to exercise and play golf.