West Liberty University Athletics

    A four-year letterman as a running back and return specialist, Lou Piccone was an impact performer on West Liberty's 1970 NAIA national semifinal playoff team who went to carve out a 9-year NFL career. A junior with that 1970 squad, the hard-nosed Piccone led the team in rushing that season and made quite an impression in the Hilltoppers' NAIA playoff game. Although West Liberty came out on the short end of a 12-6 score, Piccone posted a 100-yard rushing game with 107 yards on 21 carries and scored WLSC's only touchdown.
    Initially spurned by the pros due to his size, the 5-9, 175-pound speedster played two seasons of semipro ball before signing a free-agent contract with the New York Jets in 1974. The former Hilltopper exploded onto the NFL scene, leading the league in kickoff returns as a rookie. He spent three seasons with the Jets as their primary kick and punt returner while also catching 19 passes for 226 yards and a score.
    Traded to Buffalo in 1977, Piccone had his best season as a receiver with the Bills in 1979 with 33 catches for 556 yards and two touchdowns. Piccone played in 118 games during his NFL career, caught 100 passes for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns, returned 111 kickoffs for 2,559 yards, and returned 73 punts for 482 yards and one touchdown.
    During his playing days, Piccone was a player representative for the NFL Players Association and an influential member of the NFLPA executive committee. Following his retirement, he served for many years on the NFLPA's Steering Committee for Retired Players.