Lou Piccone
Louis James Piccone (born July 17, 1949 in Vineland, New Jersey) is a former American football wide receiver and kick returner who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at West Liberty State College.
| No. 89 | |
| Born: | July 17, 1949 Vineland, NJ |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver Kick returner |
| College | West Liberty State |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1974–1976 | New York Jets |
| 1977–1982 | Buffalo Bills |
Piccone caught 100 passes for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns in nine years in the NFL.
Piccone led the NFL with 39 kickoff returns and 961 kickoff return yards as a rookie with the Jets in 1974.[1] He again led the NFL with 31 kickoff returns in 1976.[2] He also finished 5th in the league that season with 699 kickoff return yards.[2]
References
- "Lou Piccone". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
- "1976 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
Louis played 2 years in the Semi-Pro category 1972 (Youngstown Hardhats and 1973 Bridgeport Jets). He broke into the league through the Free Agent Tryout Camps conducted by the NFL to leverage against the Strike in 1974 as a Scab. LOUUUU Quickly became a fan favorite becoming, along with his running mate Mike Adamle, The “Kings of Thankless Jobs”...performing on Special Teams kept him on the roster. He played for 10 Head Coaches and interims in 9 years....Weeb Ewbank signed him Charlie Winner inherited him, Mike Halavak interim also inherited him, Lou Holts, Ken Ship, Walt Michaels(traded him to the Buffalo Bills)....Jim Ringo(who took over for Lou Saban)... Chuck Knox who took them to Post Season play in 1980-1981 and Kay Stevenson who traded him to San Diegos Don ”Air” Coryell ...where he “flunked” the physical and was Blackballed because he became the player-rep for the Bills and a member of the Executive Committee for the NFLPA during the Strike In 1982.... Lou ended up playing both Split Ends, the Slot Receiver, Tight End, Punt Returner, Kickoff Returner, Wedge Breaker(now outlawed)and Covered Punts.. Was asked to play Running Back, Hold for the Place Kicker and Disaster Defensive Back..and for all that he once got a check for $25.38... The CHEERS OF Louuuuuu followed him his whole career.....Ringing Loud and Clear signifying that He had achieved becoming the “Perfect Utility Man”......