Happy 75th birthday to Lou Piccone! Piccone was a wide receiver and kick returner for nine seasons in the NFL: 1974 to 1976 for the New York Jets, and 1977 to 1982 for the Buffalo Bills. His best year as a receiver was 1979, when he caught 33 passes for 556 yards for the Bills. His best year as a returner was his rookie season, 1974, when he led the league with 39 kick returns and 961 kick return yards.
Before making the Jets roster, Piccone played two seasons of semi-pro football. In 1972, he played for the Youngtown Hardhats of the Midwest Football League. In 1973, he played for the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League.
Piccone played college football for West Liberty University in West Virginia. He is one of just three players from the school to play in the NFL.
Today’s card of the day is Piccone’s rookie card, a 1977 Topps. The card pictures him with the Jets, but the Jets traded him to the Bills just before the start of the season. Piccone appeared on a few cards with the Bills, as well.
