An eventual College Football Hall of Fame inductee from the University of North Dakota, Jim LeClair came to the Bengals in the 1972 Draft (3rd round, 54th overall) and spent 12 seasons with the Bengals (1972–1983).  LeClair transformed from a special teams reserve into the hard-nosed, instinctive heart of Cincinnati's linebacker corps.

LeClair possessed ideal size, sideline-to-sideline pursuit range, and elite diagnosing ability. After serving as a backup for his first three seasons, he took over as the starting middle linebacker in 1975, instantly sharpening the interior of Paul Brown’s defense.

LeClair’s finest individual campaign came in 1976, when his tackling prowess and central leadership earned him his first career Pro Bowl selection. As the defense shifted front structures heading into the 1980s, LeClair seamlessly transitioned to left inside linebacker in Forest Gregg’s 3-4 scheme. His consistent play and tackling volume anchored the front seven during Cincinnati’s historic 1981 AFC Championship campaign, culminating in a Super Bowl XVI starting appearance.

LeClair remained a vital starter through the strike-shortened 1982 season and the 1983 campaign. Prior to the 1984 season, he departed Cincinnati to sign with Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals in the USFL, playing two final professional seasons alongside Herschel Walker before retiring.

Over his career in Cincinnati, LeClair generated 10 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and 7.5 official sacks while consistently leading the defense in unofficial tackle totals.