Joe DeLamielleure
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Position: | Center Line (MI) St. Clement | ||||||
College: | Michigan State | ||||||
NFL draft: | 1973 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26 | ||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR · ArenaFan.com | |||||||
Joseph Michael DeLamielleure (
Playing career
DeLamielleure was perhaps the central figure in the "Electric Company," the Bills' offensive line that paved the way for O. J. Simpson to rush for 2,003 yards in 1973, the first player ever to break that barrier, and the only player ever to do so in a 14-game schedule.[2]
The league-leading rushing yardage mark of 3,088 yards is still the 14-game record. Only the 1978 New England Patriots have bettered that mark and did it in 16 games. Individually, Simpson led the NFL in all four major rushing categories. Joe also had the longest run in the NFL. The 2,003 yards Simpson rushed for is still the 14 game record (Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Derrick Henry achieved their marks in 16 games). DeLamielleure was also on the kickoff return team that blocked for Wallace Francis, who led NFL with two return touchdowns. DeLamielleure played on the wedge of the kickoff return team his entire career in Buffalo.
The following year, 1974, the Bills improved to 9–5 and made the playoffs. DeLamielleure was voted second-team All-Pro. In 1975 the Bills displayed one of the most potent offenses of the decade. They led the NFL in eleven categories, including total offense, rushing, rushing average, points, touchdowns and touchdown passes en route to an 8–6 record. The offensive line also allowed the fewest sacks in AFC. Simpson, behind the "Electric Company" achieved his second "quadruple crown" in three years and also had the longest run in NFL. Individually, DeLamielleure was named First-team All-Pro.
- 1976: Simpson again lead the NFL in rushing and DeLamielleure is named a First-team All-Pro.
- 1977: With Simpson injured at mid-season, the Bills pass more often, leading the NFL in passing yards and total passing attempts.
- 1978: With Simpson traded, Bills running back Terry Miller takes over and is 9th in the NFL in rushing.
DeLamielleure was named an All-Pro six times and was named to the
In 1980, DeLamielleure was traded to the
In 1992, DeLamielleure had a short stint with the Charlotte Rage of the Arena Football League.[3]
DeLamielleure was named to the
After football
DeLamielleure was a key advocate for retired players of the league in need of financial assistance. As such, he was often a critic of Gene Upshaw, the head of the Players Union when it came to attending to the needs of older players in terms of medical and financial help in favor of current players.[5][6] DeLamielleure, along with other former greats such as Mike Ditka announced the first Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund auction in 2007, and he stated that both Upshaw and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue had "done nothing" when it comes to older players.
DeLamielleure was a promoter of the
In 2009, DeLamielleure and his two former college teammates at Michigan State University embarked on a bicycle ride from East Lansing, Michigan to the site of "The City of the Children" orphanage in Mexico. The bike tour was to raise funds needed to complete construction and provide the necessary resources to support the abandoned, abused and neglected children of that region.[7]
In 2013, DeLamielleure was diagnosed with early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[8]
Coaching career
DeLamielleure served as Offensive Line Coach under Sam Rutigliano for two seasons at Liberty University and eventually coached at Duke University in the same role from 1996-2000.[9] He later coached in the Charlotte area with the Private Coaching Service CoachUp.[10]
Notes
- In 1969, DeLamielleure graduated from St. Clement High School in Center Line, MI. Joe is the only NFL football player ever from that school.
- In 1975, DeLamielleure was the NFLPA AFC Arm WrestlingChampion (he lost the final to Ed White).
- In 1978, DeLamielleure was the NFLPA NFL Racquetball Champion.
- In 1979, DeLamielleure was NFLPA AFC Racquetball champion (he lost the final to the NFC competitor Rafael Septién who was 5'9" and 160 pounds).
- In 1982, DeLamielleure competed in the NFL's Strongest Man Competition. The other contestants were Lyle Alzado, John Matuszak, Mike Webster, Steve Furness, Curt Marsh, and Bob Young. Only Marsh and DeLamielleure are still living and Marsh has had a leg amputated.[11]
- In 2004, DeLamielleure was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.[12]
References
- ^ Weinbaum, William; Delsohn, Steve (April 17, 2017). "OTL: Ex-NFL stars show CTE signs". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ Member profile
- ^ ArenaFan Online Page
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Report: Upshaw critic thinks threat real". June 5, 2007.
- ^ "Bitter rival mourns Upshaw's passing". August 21, 2008.
- ^ Buffalo Bills.com
- ^ "Three Former NFL Stars Diagnosed with Telltale Signs of CTE". PBS.
- ^ ESPN.com
- ^ www.coachup.com/coaches/joed-11
- ^ Springer, Steve (July 27, 1995). "He Gave His All : For Ex-Raider Marsh, That Meant His Right Leg, Which Was Amputated After Years of Pain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ DeLamielleure inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, mshof.org; accessed June 28, 2015.