For Immediate Release For More Information, Contact: July 16, 2013 Joe Horrigan at (330) 588-3627 Pete Fierle at (330) 588-3622

Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure to complete 213-mile charity walk at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Joe DeLamielleure always claimed his love for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame guard often stated that he will return each summer to join in the Enshrinement festivities even if he had to walk to Canton, Ohio.

He will achieve that feat when he arrives on the front steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 20 at approximately 11:00 a.m. EDT. The six-time All-Pro will take the final steps of a 10-day, 213-mile walk to raise awareness for children needing prosthetic legs.

The public is invited and encouraged to be on site at the Hall of Fame on Saturday to welcome Joe as he finishes his trek that began last Wednesday from midfield at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., the site of where he began his career with the Buffalo Bills. DeLamielleure has averaged more than 20 miles per day in order to arrive at the Hall of Fame where his playing career culminated with his induction ten years ago in 2003.

Joe D’s walk has raised awareness and gained support for the Grace’s Lamp (GracesLamp.org) organization of Charlotte, N.C., that deals with young children who grow out of their prosthetic legs but cannot afford the high cost of new adult prosthetic legs.

DeLamielleure is one of a record number of Hall of Famers who will be in Canton for the Hall’s Golden Anniversary Reunion in early August to welcome the newest class of enshrinees. The gathering of legends represents the largest number of Hall of Famers from one sport in one place at one time.

The Class of 2013 – Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp – will be formally enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 3.

“This endeavor is further evidence of the extraordinary character possessed by a Hall of Famer,” commented the Hall of Fame’s President/Executive Director Steve Perry. “We applaud Joe’s efforts and are excited that he and so many football legends will be with us this year.”

Perry also announced that the Hall of Fame will support DeLamielleure’s cause by setting aside a block of 500 enshrinement tickets from which $10 of each ticket sold will go to Grace’s Lamp. Anyone wishing to donate in this manner must purchase tickets in person at the Hall of Fame box office or by calling 330-456-8207 and indicating their desire to designate the $10 portion of the sale to go to Grace’s Lamp.

DeLamielleure continues to share his journey through a daily blog titled, “I”d Walk to Canton” on the Hall of Fame’s website at Profootballhof.com.