Rumblings Book Review: Joe D's Tales From The Buffalo Bills
"Back when I was playing, we used to take cabs to the game from the hotel when we traveled. One time, while we were playing the Patriots in Foxboro, a cabby almost spoiled our gameplan. The guy who picked up our quarterback, Joe Ferguson, was a huge Pats fan.
He recognized who he had in his cab, so instead of heading for Foxboro Stadium, he hijacked Joe and took him in the other direction. Joe had no reason to know the Boston area that well, and didn't realize that he was going the wrong way.
When he finally did realize what was going on, he jumped out of the cab and managed to get another one. This guy was more cooperative, and Joe got to the stadium in the nick of time. There were only 10 minutes left before kick off when he came running into our locker room screaming that he'd been kidnapped."
Let that be a lesson for you: never trust cabbies, unless it's this guy. Former Bills Pro Bowl guard and Hall of Fame member Joe DeLamielleure provides us with the material for the latest installment of Rumblings Book Review. Co-authored by Micheal Benson, Joe D's Tales From The Buffalo Bills follows Joe D from his early days at Michigan State, through his years with the Bills and finally ending with his trade to the Cleveland Browns. Joe doles out lots of love in this one, starting with some of the fellow rookies he came to the Bills with - guys like Merv Krakau, John Skorupan, and Joe Ferguson. He then talks about the fans of the Buffalo Bills and how great we are (which we of course know), and finally he talks an awful lot about "The Electric Company" and "The Juice" - and why not? That is a major part of Joe D's time with the Bills.
Joe DeLamielleure gives us a unique look into the life of an NFL player in the 1970s, detailing everything from the pitfalls of traveling in other cities (see above quote) to the different ways they would try to make extra spending cash between games and in the off season. He also seems to have a pretty good sense of humor, as there are plenty of comical stories to keep you amused.
Was it Worth it?
Like Steve Tasker's Tales From The Buffalo Bills, Joe D's books is priced at $19.95 US/$24.95 Canadian. Unlike Tasker's book, I would be more inclined to pay that for this book. If you want to know more about one of, if not the best offensive lineman in Bills history, as well as The Electric Company in general, you should start with this book. It isn't just a straight love-fest like Tasker's book, either. Joe D takes a few moments to speak his mind about some topics he fells strongly about, including the Players' Union, late Executive Director of the NFLPA Gene Upshaw, and former Bills coach Chuck Knox. Joe D was and still is someone who speaks his mind and isn't one to mince words, and that really comes through in this book - except when the topic of O.J. comes up. I don't think that Joe really knows what to say about that one; he struggles between the teammate that he loved and respected and the man who committed serious crimes and is jail because of them.
General Impression
Like Eddie Abramoski's book, I give Joe D's Tales From The Buffalo Bills an A-. This is another solid read for any Bills fan that chronicles a time that most of us just don't remember, either because we weren't born yet or are too old to do so. Also, I believe that there is a picture of Kurupt on page 38! Overall, this is a solid book that won't disappoint and one that most Bills fans should take a peek at.
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16 comments
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Comments
Unfortunately, this is not me. Might be Matt.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Jul 1, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Feather boas are sweet.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on Jul 1, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL, did you run and grab your copy to check it out?
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
by sireric on Jul 1, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Google previewed it. I don’t have the book…..yet.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Jul 2, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not me either...
I don’t own a Bills bandana…
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jul 2, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see you aren’t denying the feather boa….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Jul 2, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't own one...
but let’s say one is in the house. LOL J/K.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jul 2, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone's wife/girlfriend should own a feather boa, IMHO!
The Prayer of Pass Rush - Hail Maybin, blessed with a quick first step, Bruce is with thee; most reverenced art thou among DEs in the AFC, and blessed be the fruit of thy pass rush. Holy Lord, Father of the swim move, we pray for our QB hurries to be numerous and our sacks to be plentiful. Be with us in Victory and at the hour of our Defeat. Amen.
by Joe P. on Jul 2, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must say, I am looking forward to getting this book, maybe ask for it as a birthday gift perhaps
That way its not my money AND I get to enjoy it too! Win-Win!
Anyway, got to say Ben Bailey is awesome I love Cash Cab, nothing like it when your bored and your waiting for work to start and you need some distraction…
(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T
-textsfromlastnight.com
by WABillsfan on Jul 1, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love Cash Cab. I always feel like I know like 75-80% of the answers, but I know if I ever get in there I would get kicked out after like a block and a half.
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
by sireric on Jul 1, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A friend of mine was on Cash Cab. So lucky. I only take minivan cabs in hopes of grabbing Ben Bailey’s cab. 7N78 is the license plate I’ve memorized.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way
I hope you appreciate the newly phrased poll question 4Winds.
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
by sireric on Jul 1, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Perfect!!
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Jul 1, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
by sireric on Jul 2, 2009 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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