Bills Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure Diagnosed With Dementia – Can Hardly Speak, But Still Remembers Playing for Buffalo
Buffalo, New York – October 29, 2025
The Buffalo Bills family is heartbroken this week after learning that franchise legend and Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure, now 74, has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia. Once known as one of the toughest and most respected offensive linemen in NFL history — the foundation of Buffalo’s offensive line during its golden years — he is now facing a battle no helmet can protect him from.
According to his family, DeLamielleure has begun losing his ability to speak and recall many of the great moments from his playing days — yet there is one thing that never fades. Every time someone mentions “Buffalo” or “the Bills,” his face lights up, and a faint smile returns.
His granddaughter shared during a recent interview:
“He doesn’t remember everything anymore, but whenever he hears someone mention the Bills, he smiles, and his eyes light up as if he’s telling us that this is his love. He may have forgotten many things, but he has never forgotten Buffalo. To him, this team — that’s his whole life.”
Joe DeLamielleure’s story is forever tied to one of the most memorable eras in Bills history. Drafted in 1973 out of Michigan State, he quickly became the cornerstone of the offensive line, protecting quarterbacks and paving the way for OJ Simpson’s legendary 2,003-yard rushing season that same year — an NFL record at the time.
Over 13 NFL seasons (1973–1985), including eight with the Buffalo Bills, DeLamielleure built an extraordinary legacy:
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6× Pro Bowl selections
3× First-Team All-Pro honors
Member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003
Fans affectionately called him “Joe D” — a symbol of strength, humility, and hard work. Even after retiring, he continued to represent the blue-collar spirit of Buffalo, often speaking about how proud he was to have played for a city defined by resilience and heart.
Now, as Joe faces the toughest challenge of his life, love and support have poured in from former teammates, fans, and the entire Bills organization. The team has announced plans to honor him during an upcoming home game at Highmark Stadium, where thousands of fans will wear #68 patches in tribute to the man who defined what it means to “Play Like a Bill.”
Joe DeLamielleure may no longer have the booming voice that once led huddles and locker rooms, but his presence and spirit still echo across Buffalo.
For those who watched him play — and for everyone who believes in the grit and pride that define this city — Joe DeLamielleure will forever be remembered not just as a Hall of Famer, but as the heartbeat of the Buffalo Bills — a warrior who never stopped fighting for his team.
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