A product of Coeur d'Alene High School, Joe was a top athlete for the Vikings. He concentrated on football and track earning seven letters and being selected 1st team quarterback in 1961 for the Inland Empire League.
He attended the University of Idaho from 1961 to 1965. He started at quarterback in 1961, moved to wingback the next year and ended up as a wide receiver in 1964 and 1965. In 1964, Joe set the single season receiving records for yardage and longest pass caught. Also, he led the nation in yardage per catch in 1965, and was the All Rockies First Team (which included all the Arizona schools) kick returner. After three games he was ninth in the nation in receiving before suffering a fracture of the lower back.
Joe lettered three years in track at Idaho. He ran a 9.8 second 100 meters and long jumped 22'11". Joe signed with Calgary of the Canadian Football League in 1966 and with the Minnesota Vikings in 1967.
He returned to Coeur d' Alene and started Chapman Design. He has been awarded for his designs by the Home Business Association. Joe has also owned Henry's Restaurant in Coeur d' Alene since 1984.