Joe Nicely

Joseph Burel Nicely (November 26, 1934 – September 24, 2010) was an American football offensive guard in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. He also was a member of the Washington Redskins in the National Football League. He played college football at West Virginia University.

Joe Nicely
No. 55
Position:Offensive guard
Personal information
Born:(1934-11-26)November 26, 1934
Trout, West Virginia
Died:September 24, 2010(2010-09-24) (aged 75)
Glendale, Arizona
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Rupert (WV)
College:West Virginia
NFL Draft:1958 / Round: 3 / Pick: 35
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Early years

Nicely attended Rupert High School.[1] To play football, he had to walk 6 to 8 miles home after each practice.[2]

He accepted a football scholarship from West Virginia University, where he became a starter at offensive guard offense and a middle guard on defense.[2] As a senior, he missed three games with a broken bone in his hand. He participated in the Blue–Gray Football Classic, Senior Bowl and Chicago College All-Star Game.[3]

Professional career

Nicely was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the third round (35th overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft.[4] He was waived before the start of the season on September 9.[5]

On September 12, 1958, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.[6] He appeared in 5 games as a backup at offensive guard and offensive tackle. He was released on October 14.[7]

On January 28, 1959, he signed with the Washington Redskins, where he was tried at center.[8] On September 15, he was placed on the team's reserve list with an injury and was later signed to the taxi squad.[9]

In 1960, Nicely was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the expansion draft. He suffered from a blood infection that turned out to be Hepatitis C and did not make the team.[10]

Personal life

Nicely had three fingers cut off from his right hand in an accident he had during his youth.[2] He died on September 24, 2008.[11]

References
  1. "Joe Nicely". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  2. "WVU s Nicely was one of greats on offensive line". Fox Sports. October 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  3. Johnson, Chuck (August 16, 1958). "Grid All-Stars slay inept Detroit Lions". Milwaukee Journal. p. 12. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  4. "1958 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  5. "Colts Place Joe Nicely On Waivers". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  6. "Ex-Redskins castoff, may join the Walker A Lift?". 13 September 1958. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  7. "Big Four Teams Declare Selections of Imports". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  8. "Redskins Sign WVU's Nicely". 29 January 1959. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  9. "Redskins Sign WVU's Nicely". 16 September 1959. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  10. "Dallas Loses Guard". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  11. "Burel J. Nicely Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
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