Remembering Joe Delaney

[DVS]

It's one of those things that hits you in a way that you remember where you were when you heard it. Maybe you have to be a football fan to remember him, and maybe you have to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan to remember him. But even though he was becoming a star on the football field, I'll always remember him for how he died, and what he felt he had to do 30 years ago today.

This is the Sports Illustrated story that ran the week after Joe died.


Another story remembering Joe.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

It's one of those things that hits you in a way that you remember where you were when you heard it. Maybe you have to be a football fan to remember him, and maybe you have to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan to remember him. But even though he was becoming a star on the football field, I'll always remember him for how he died, and what he felt he had to do 30 years ago today.

This is the Sports Illustrated story that ran the week after Joe died.


Another story remembering Joe.

Though I was then (and still am) a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, I remember the story and the circumstances. I wish more of our sports "heroes" had the spirit and personal strength of Joe Delaney; perhaps we wouldn't now be reading of so many of them arrested for murder, domestic abuse and other law violations, and so many facing 50- or 100-game or lifetime suspensions from their sports for using drugs they knew were banned. Perhaps today's children would have real heroes to look up to in sports.

 

[DVS]

Joe Delaney was a classy individual. He just happened to also be a talented football player. His professional football career had just begun, but the person he was came from his childhood.

He must have learned from family and maybe other parts of his early life in Louisiana. I'd assume his family had more influence than his early life, because there were many people at the pond that day and Joe was the only one who even attempted to help.

I took the below text from the Wikipedia page about Joe. I think it shows a little bit of how people felt about Joe Delaney. I like to think that all of the accolades reflect on him as a person, not just because he was a great player whose life was cut short.

Delaney had a lifelong history of helping others, and once paid for the funeral of a former teacher whose family could not afford a proper service. On June 29, 1983, Delaney, who was living in nearby Ruston, went with friends to Critter's Creek, an amusement center at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana. While reportedly discouraging swimming children from venturing too far out in a pond, Delaney dove in to save three children who were screaming for help, floundering in a water hole left by recent construction work.

The water hole, which covered two acres and was 20 feet deep, was not intended for swimming but to add to the park's aesthetics. Despite his inability to swim, Delaney nevertheless tried to rescue the children. One child managed to get out of the water without harm and another was taken to an emergency room where he later died; police recovered the body of Delaney and the remaining child. The amusement park has since been closed to the public.

Three thousand people attended Delaney's burial and memorial service on July 4 which was held in the sweltering heat of the Haughton High School gymnasium. President Ronald Reagan honored Delaney with the Presidential Citizens Medal on July 15, and it was presented to Delaney's family by Vice President George H. W. Bush.

Reagan's words were:
“He made the ultimate sacrifice by placing the lives of three children above regard for his own safety. By the supreme example of courage and compassion, this brilliantly gifted young man left a spiritual legacy for his fellow Americans.”

For the 1983 NFL season, the Chiefs honored Delaney by wearing a circular patch bearing a gold eagle and the number 37 on the upper-left chest of their uniforms. Haughton High School also made a park, Joe Delaney Park, in his memory. The NCAA posthumously awarded Delaney the NCAA Award of Valor in 1984. Louisiana Governor Dave Treen presented the Louisiana State Civilian Bravery Award to Delaney's family following his death.

Delaney's heroism is honored through an award for one of the NFL's best running backs who also demonstrates admirable character and unselfishness, traits that were embodied by Delaney. The award is given annually by ProFootballTalk.com.

Northwestern State’s football permanent team captains award, the Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership award, is named in his honor, as is the annual spring football game ("Delaney Bowl") and a golf tournament that generates support for the athletic program. A permanent shrine honoring him sits under the home stands at Northwestern State's Turpin Stadium and his number 44 jersey hangs in the football offices. In Virginia, the Delaney Athletic Conference took its name to honor his memory in the fall of 1983, and today 13 Virginia private high schools comprise the DAC.

A group of Chiefs fans in Kansas City formed the "37Forever Foundation," which works with the American Red Cross to provide swimming lessons for underprivileged children. The Kansas City Chiefs unofficially retired Delaney's jersey number 37 following his death, and he was elected to the team's Hall of Fame in 2004. His name is included in the Chiefs' ring of honor at Arrowhead Stadium.

 

[DVS]

Though I was then (and still am) a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, I remember the story and the circumstances. I wish more of our sports "heroes" had the spirit and personal strength of Joe Delaney; perhaps we wouldn't now be reading of so many of them arrested for murder, domestic abuse and other law violations, and so many facing 50- or 100-game or lifetime suspensions from their sports for using drugs they knew were banned. Perhaps today's children would have real heroes to look up to in sports.

It seems that our sports heroes are becoming more like many of the rappers who you'd more assume to be associated with guns, drugs and the other related things. There are still some players who live up to the status of hero, but unfortunately, they don't get the press.

I've often posted when a musician dies or when another individual I consider worthy of recognition dies. I don't know if this was a good place to mention this anniversary, but I guess it didn't hurt. At least no trolls have posted.

 

[24morefun]

Kc fan here, thanks for making me remember whats important about life.