Lester Alonza (Les) Bingaman

Lester Alonza (Les) Bingaman

Detroit Lions Player (1948 – 1954)

Les Bingaman was born in McKenzie, Tennessee and moved with his family to Gary, Indiana attending Lew Wallace High School. He moved on to the University of Illinois where as a junior, he helped the Illini win the Big Ten Championship and win the 1947 Rose Bowl. Bingaman was selected 15th overall in the 1948 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he spent his entire NFL playing career. During his career, he helped the Lions win two NFL Championships and was twice chosen to play in the Pro-Bowl. His playing days ended after the 1954 season and he went into the coaching profession. He was the Lions defensive line coach from 1960 – 1964 and coached with the Miami Dolphins from 1966 – 1969. Les Bingaman was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1971. He passed away on November 20, 1970 at 44 years of age.