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| Position | Guard | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1951-03-16)March 16, 1951 (age 74) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 254 lb (115 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Center Line (MI) St. Clement | ||||||||
| College | Michigan State | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1973: 1st round, 26th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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Joseph Michael DeLamielleure (/dəˌlɑːməˈlɔːr/də-LAH-mə-LOR; born March 16, 1951) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aguard in theNational Football League (NFL). He was anAll-American playingcollege football for theMichigan State Spartans. He was selected by theBuffalo Bills in the first round of the1973 NFL draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with hisirregular heartbeat was not serious. In1973 the Buffalo Bills rushing offense led the NFL in yards, yards per carry, as well as rushing touchdowns. He is also one of the first living NFL players to be tested and diagnosed with CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).[1]
DeLamielleure was perhaps the central figure in the "Electric Company," the Bills' offensive line that paved the way forO. 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 the1978 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 andDerrick Henry achieved their marks in 16 games). DeLamielleure was also on the kickoff return team that blocked forWallace 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.
DeLamielleure was named an All-Pro six times and was named to thePro Bowl six times. In 1975, DeLamielleure was named by theNFLPA as Offensive Lineman of the Year. In 1973, DeLamielleure was Co-Offensive Linemen of the Year as awarded by the 1000 Yard Rusher Club, Columbus, Ohio. In 1977, DeLamielleure received theForrest Gregg Award as the NFL's Top Offensive Lineman for that season.
In 1980, DeLamielleure was traded to theCleveland Browns where he blocked for his 2ndNFL MVP,Brian Sipe. DeLamielleure became the first player ever to block for a 2,000-yard rusher and a 4,000-yard passer. Of those who have done it since, (Jackie Slater, Doug Smith, Irv Pankey,Kevin Glover, andTom Nalen) only DeLamielleure's duo were NFL MVPs and the passer (Sipe) also won the NFL passing crown. Also, the 1980 Browns offensive line led NFL in allowing the lowest sacks percentage and blocked for a 1,000-yard runner (Mike Pruitt). During his five years with Cleveland, he played every game. In 1979, DeLamielleure was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team. He played his final year in the NFL, 1985, back with theBuffalo Bills.
In 1992, DeLamielleure had a short stint with theCharlotte Rage of theArena Football League.[3]
DeLamielleure was named to thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and was inducted to theEast-West Shrine Game Hall of Fame in 2007.[4]
DeLamielleure was a key advocate for retired players of the league in need of financial assistance. As such, he was often a critic ofGene 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 asMike Ditka announced the first Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund auction in 2007, and he stated that both Upshaw and former NFL commissionerPaul Tagliabue had "done nothing" when it comes to older players.
DeLamielleure was a promoter of theAll-American Football League, a spring league that hoped to fill a void of the now-defunctNFL Europe. The AAFL planned to take collegiate players provided they've earned a four-year college degree. However, the league did not play a game.
In 2009, DeLamielleure and his two former college teammates atMichigan State University embarked on a bicycle ride fromEast 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 ofchronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[8]
In 2016, DeLamielleure appeared in theAcademy Award-winning documentaryO.J.: Made in America, discussing Simpson's time in Buffalo and his demeanor as a teammate.[9]
DeLamielleure served as an offensive line coach underSam Rutigliano for two seasons atLiberty University, before going on to coach atDuke University in the same role from 1996 to 2000.[10] He later coached in theCharlotte area with the Private Coaching ServiceCoachUp.[11]
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