Joseph Michael DeLamielleure ( ; born March 16, 1951) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American playing college football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was not serious. In 1973 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).
Playing career
High school and college
Joe DeLamielleure attended St. Clement High School in Center Line, Michigan, where he developed into a standout offensive lineman. He went on to play college football at Michigan State University from 1969 to 1972. At Michigan State, he earned All-Big Ten Conference honors and was named a consensus All-American in 1972. He served as team captain during his senior season.
Buffalo Bills
DeLamielleure was selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 1973 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. He 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 in NFL history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, and the only player to do so in a 14-game season. 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 All-American Football League, a spring league that hoped to fill a void of the now-defunct NFL 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 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.
In 2013, DeLamielleure was diagnosed with early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
In 2016, DeLamielleure appeared in the Academy Award-winning documentary O.J.: Made in America, discussing Simpson's time in Buffalo and his demeanor as a teammate.
Coaching career
DeLamielleure served as an offensive line coach under Sam Rutigliano for two seasons at Liberty University, before going on to coach at Duke University in the same role from 1996 to 2000. He later coached in the Charlotte area with the Private Coaching Service CoachUp.
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 Wrestling Champion (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.
- In 2004, DeLamielleure was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.