Topic: Joe DeLamielleure

Joseph Michael DeLamielleure (born March 16, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. 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.

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.

The league leading rushing yardage mark of 3088 yards is still the 14-game record. Only the 1978 New England Patiots have bettered that mark and did it in 16 games. Individually, O. J. Simpson led the NFL in all four major rushing categories, a "quadruple crown". He also had the longest run in the NFL. The 2003 Yards Simpson rushed for is still the 14 game record Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders and Terrell Davis achieved their marks in 16 games]. Joe was also on the kickoff return team that blocked for Wallace Francis, who led NFL with 2 TD returns. DeLamielleure played on the wedge of the kickoff return team his entire career in Buffalo.