Upcoming Event: Rowing at Rocky Top Invitational on April 3, 2026 at All Day
/
All Day
Rowing
at Rocky Top Invitational
The DeLamielleures: A Family with a Passion for Football
Todd DeLamielleure, one of the Blue Devils' starting inside linebackers, does not have to look far to see his father each day. Todd's father, Joe DeLamielleure, is the tight end's coach for the Duke football team. For many, having a parent as a coach would create undue pressure and annoyance. However, this is not the case with the DeLamielleures.
In fact, it was Todd's decision to attend Duke, the school at which his father was already a coach. Numerous schools recruited Todd out of high school, but both DeLamielleures agreed that Todd should attend a strong academic institution.
"I told him," Joe said, "if you are going to play college football you have six options: Stanford, Michigan, Duke, or the three academies; Navy, Army, and Air Force."
"In the long run Todd should use football, not let football use him," said Joe.
Todd, who sees Joe not only has a father but his best friend, followed his father's advice and decided to attend Duke.
The DeLamielleure's unique relationship extends onto the football field. Todd and Joe view their relationship on the field not as that of a coach and player, or even father and son, but that of friends. "It's like if I see Mike Hart at practice on the other field and go over to talk to him about whatever," Todd said.
During practice Todd plays on defense, while Joe coaches offense, so father is never directly coaching son.
"I never coach him on the field. When we are alone and we have time we might go over films; we've always done that," Joe said.
As one of the top 300 NFL players of all-time, Joe has much valuable knowledge about the game to pass on to his son.
Todd has been exposed to the football world since he was a young child. Beginning at an early age, Joe would bring Todd to his practices while he was playing for the Cleveland Browns.
However, Joe never encouraged Todd to play football, and in fact he discouraged him from playing the game.
"It's from experience and seeing guys my age and their many injuries. I would have rathered him played baseball," Joe said.
However, once Todd decided to play football, Joe was one hundred percent behind his son.
Todd began playing football in the seventh grade, and has excelled in the game ever since.
During high school, Todd played for four different schools over his four years. This was due to Joe's changing over coaching jobs during that time period.
"I went to four different high schools," Todd said. "As soon as you get settled you kind of have to get up and move. It was kind of cool because it seems as if every time we play against somebody in the ACC I played against them in high school."
Joe, although acknowledging that his other children were not as comfortable with the moves, watched Todd excell in the new environments he was put into. "It made him make adjustments in his life, it was good for him. He liked the challenge of meeting new people, but for our other kids it was tough," Joe said. Even though Todd learned and grew during his high school years, Joe now realizes it was tough on his family, and would never relocate his younger children.
Through Todd's upbringing, the Duke junior has learned to be an extremely tenacious worker. This is a quality that has been passed down from Joe's father to Joe, and then to Todd.
"My parents," Joe said, "through hard work showed me how to work hard. My father never took a vacation in 43 years. His work ethic taught me how to work, and Todd did the same thing."
Due to Todd's work ethic, Joe believes Todd has a chance, with a lot of hard work, to have a career in the NFL.
"I think he has an opportunity. The chances of that are slim, if he is lucky enough to get an opportunity. You need to be at the right place at the right time," Joe said.
Even if Todd does not make it to the NFL, his solid upbringing and education will surely enable him to succeed in whatever he pursues.
Todd, a history major, is interested in a career in criminology, possibly attaining a job with the CIA. Todd and Joe most definitely have their priorities in order, and football takes advantage of others; the DeLamielleure's have let playing the game they love enrich their future endeavors.
