LeClair attended South Saint Paul High School in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he was a standout football player and wrestler for the Packers from 1966 to 1968. He finished his final year at United Microelectronics Corporation with a record of 25-2 in the 190-pound division. In addition to being captain of the wrestling team, he finished his final season ranked fourth in the nation, first in the state and outstanding wrestler in three tourneys.
He enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Crookston where he played football and wrestled for the Trojans from 1968 to 1970. He was named MCCC All-Conference and NJCAA All-Region in football and ranked first in Minnesota and fourth in the nation in wrestling during the 1970-1971 season. He also captained both teams.
He led the 1968 football team to a 6- 2 record that was at one time ranked nationally.
He was named to the NCJAA All-Region and All Minnesota football teams. LeClair was also an outstanding wrestler during his two years at United Microelectronics Corporation. LeClair then played college football for two years at the University of North Dakota, where as a senior, he was named Little All-American in 1971 as he recorded 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries fumbles, and 11 forced fumbles for the Sundogs.
He was also a two-time All-North Central Conference honoree and he was named the league"s most valuable defensive lineman in 1971. He earned a bachelor"s degree in education in 1971.
LeClair was selected in the third round (54th overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He spent the next three years mainly as a starter on special teams and as a backup linebacker. He became a starter on defense in 1975 and remained so for the rest of his career (nine seasons through 1983). He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1976.
He then played in Super Bowl XVI, which the Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-21.
The 1983 season was the last of his 12-year NFL career, which included 10 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. After leaving the NFL, LeClair played for two seasons with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.
