Welcome to the Keystone State
7/12/2013
Joe DeLamielleure is walking to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Golden Anniversary Reunion. His Pounding the Pavement for Prosthetics Walk from Buffalo to Canton is to raise awareness and support for the GRACE’S LAMP organization that deals with young children who grow out of their prosthetic legs but cannot afford the high cost of new adult prosthetic legs. Read story>>> | Support Grace’s Lamp>>>
5:40 p.m. EDT
I’ve chalked up 66 miles. I feel good, as well as can be expected. I trained by walking 15 miles a day so I’m feeling the extra miles and my feet hurt a bit.
But I continue to marvel at the kindness of the people I meet. I had a college student pull up to me today. His dad and grandfather greeted me the day before so now I’ve met the three generations. He only had $5 on him but wanted to give it to me. I told him not to worry about it but he insisted. It was really a nice gesture.
I’ve been walking through a lot of working class towns. You can tell the people really appreciate what I’m doing. This walk kind of reminds me of playing football. You’re standing in the tunnel and really excited at game time. Then, you have to go out and work. This walk is certainly hard work for sure.
I’ve been getting lots of support. Today, three of my fellow Hall of Famers – Andre Tippett, Elvin Bethea, and Paul Krause – called to check in and make sure I’m doing okay. I’m also getting lots of calls from former teammates. It sure helps keep me going.
I hit a big milestone today. I crossed into Pennsylvania! At the same time, I saw a family with six kids standing and pointing at the sign. They’re from Arizona and driving cross country. They thought it was cool what I was I doing and asked me to pose with them for a picture and I signed a football for one of the boys.
Time for some rest and I’ll keep moving toward Canton!
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