True Life Tuesday: Joe Delaney

 

Joe Alton Delaney was born on October 30, 1958 in Henderson, Texas. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to Woodrow and Eunice Delaney. He attended Haughton High School in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. By his junior year he was the starting wide receiver for the school's football team. He was scouted by many schools including Texas, Ohlahoma and LSU. He ended up playing at Northwestern State from 1977-80 where he switched to running back. He was selected an All-American in 1979 and 1980. The school ended up retiring his jersey number at halftime of his last game on November 22, 1980. He was also a stand out track athlete and still holds the school record in the 200 meter dash. 

Delaney was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1981 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was named rookie of the year for the 1981 season. His rookie year he helped the team achieve their 1st winning season since 1973. In 1982 he had surgery to repair a detatched retina. Between the injury and the players strike that year he saw limited playing time. 

On June 29, 1983 Delaney was with friends at Critter's Creek, an amuesement center at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana. While there, 3 children were screaming for help after going out too far in a retention pond. Even though he was unable to swim he tried to save the children. One child managed to get out of the pond with no injuries while a second was taken to the ER where he later died. Police eventually recovered the bodies of Delaney and the third child. 

His memorial was held on July 4, 1983 and around 3000 people attended. He was given the Presidential Ciritzens Medal on July 15, 1983 by president Ronald Regan. He was posthumously awarded the NCAA Award of Valor in 1984. He received many more awards from his high scvhool, college and the state of Louisiana. The 37 Forever Foundation was created by a group of Chiefs fans and works with the Red Cross to teach swimming to under priviledged children. His #37 jersey was unofficialy retired but the Chiefs and he was elected to the teams' Hall of Fame in 2004.