Cleveland Browns: 30 greatest players in franchise history
By Dan Justik
. Offensive Guard. (1980-1984). Joe DeLamielleure. 17. player. 53
Greatest players in Cleveland Browns history: 17. Joe DeLamielleure
The name of Joe DeLamielleure may not be a household one, but that’s because he made a career of doing the dirty work while others got the credit. Originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 26 pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, the former Michigan State guard became a road grader for one of the better rushing attacks in NFL history.
He helped pave the way for running back O.J. Simpson, who broke the 2,000-yard mark as a runner before anyone else did so in the league. That happened to be DeLamielleure’s rookie season and Simpson won the NFL MVP that year.
His status as a brutal blocker ands good luck charm continued when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1980. In his first season with this franchise, DeLamielleure helped keep the pocket clean for another MVP, this time though it was quarterback Brian Sipe who took the award home in 1980.
The Browns only got DeLamielleure for five seasons, but he finished his career with 178 starts and made six Pro Bowls. He was named to the Browns Ring of Honor as well as eventually getting his bust in Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.