Joe D donates gold bracelet to the HOF
Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure was in Canton on Saturday to participate in the Hall's Best of Yesterday and Today autograph series.
Before he sat down and signed autographs for the several hundred fans who lined up for the session, DeLamielleure presented the Hall with a unique memento.
DeLamielleure donated the gold bracelet that was given to him by Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson following the 1973 NFL season.
Photo: Joe DeLamielleure (left) presented Hall of Fame President John Bankert his gold bracelet that commemorated O.J. Simpson's 2,000-yard season in 1973.>>>
As a rookie that season, "Joe D" helped pave the way for Simpson who became pro football's first ever 2,000-yard rusher. Simpson rushed for 2,003 yards as the Bills accumulated a then NFL record 3,088 yards on the ground.
1973 Bills | ||
Player |
At |
Yds |
O.J. Simpson |
332 |
2003 |
Jim Braxton |
108 |
494 |
Larry Watkins |
98 |
414 |
Joe Ferguson |
48 |
147 |
Pete Van Valkenberg |
2 |
20 |
Bo Cornell |
4 |
13 |
Steve Jones |
3 |
9 |
Dennis Shaw |
4 |
2 |
Spike Jones |
1 |
0 |
Bob Chandler |
5 |
-14 |
Bills Total |
605 |
3,088 |
1973 - O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills (2,003)
1984 - Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams (2,105)
1997 - Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions (2,053)
1998 - Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos (2,008)
2003 - Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (2,066)
Most Rushing Yards in One NFL Season
3,165 - New England Patriots, 1978
3,088 - Buffalo Bills, 1973
2,986 - Kansas City Chiefs, 1978
Other Recent Donations to the Hall's Collection>>>