| No. 53, 74, 72, 70 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Offensive tackle Defensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1936-07-17)July 17, 1936 Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | January 8, 2017(2017-01-08) (aged 80) Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S. | ||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight | 247 lb (112 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Peabody Veterans Memorial (MA) | ||||||
| College | Tennessee (1953-1955) Middle Tennessee St. (1956) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1957: 7th round, 84th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
| Career NFL/AFL statistics | |||||||
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Gerald Joseph DeLucca (July 17, 1936 – January 8, 2017)[1] was an American professionalfootballoffensive lineman in theNational Football League (NFL) for thePhiladelphia Eagles. He also played in theAmerican Football League (AFL) for theBoston Patriots andBuffalo Bills. He playedcollege football atMiddle Tennessee State University.
Delucca attendedPeabody Veterans Memorial High School, before moving on toUniversity of Tennessee, where he was named to the second-team sophomoreAll-SEC team.[2] He later transferred toMiddle Tennessee State University.
DeLucca was selected by theChicago Bears in the seventh round (84th overall) of the1957 NFL draft.[3] He spent from 1957 to 1958 serving his military service. On September 23,1959, he was traded to thePhiladelphia Eagles.
In1959, he was a starter atleft tackle for thePhiladelphia Eagles.[4]
DeLucca was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the1960 NFL expansion draft and was released before the start of the season.[5]
On September 23,1960, he was signed as afree agent by theBoston Patriots of theAmerican Football League and became a part of their inaugural season.[6] He was a two-year starter atright tackle, before being traded to theBuffalo Bills in exchange for a draft choice on September 4,1962.[7]
DeLucca played forBuffalo Bills in all 14 games of the1962 season. On April 11,1963, he was traded to theDallas Texans in exchange for a draft choice.
On April 23,1963, he was re-acquired by theBoston Patriots in exchange for a draft choice, to provide depth after tackleMilt Graham was lost to injury. He was released on November 7, to make room for a healthy Graham.[8] DeLucca was cut early on the1964 season, but was re-signed on November 27, to provide depth because of injuries.[9]