Joe Delaney: “He is great with a capital G” – Remembering No. 37 ~ It was 36 years ago this Saturday that Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney sacrificed his life trying to save three drowning boys in Monroe, Louisiana, near his hometown of Haughton, even though he could not himself swim.
There will be many articles on the internet and in print in the next few days which commemorate our loss, Delaney’s life, and his lasting, memorable legacy. These articles will no doubt make note of the Joe Delaney Memorial Park, finally opened in Haughton 33 years after his death after many frustrating delays. They will speak of the memorial service in Haughton shortly after his death in which, then US Vice President, George H.W. Bush presented Haughton’s wife, Carolyn, and his mother, with the Presidential Citizens Medal, along with a letter from President Ronald Reagan. In the deeply personal, heartfelt letter, President Reagan wrote,
“Although there are no words to ease the pain you feel at this time, I hope you can draw comfort knowing that Joe was more concerned for the safety of others than his own. He was a true hero and has surely earned a place in heaven for having sacrificed his life for those three boys.”
“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.”
The pieces written to honor Delaney will mention the funeral was initially to be held at Haughton’s Galilee Baptist Church but was moved to the Haughton High School Gym because of the large number of attendees expected. They were right. An estimated 3,000 people showed to pay their final respects to Joe Delaney. Among them were many NFL players along with the Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt. An emotional Hunt spoke with the Shreveport Times.
“Joe was a very special football player. A special, special guy.”
They will speak of his widow, Carolyn, and their three children, Tamika, 7, Crystal, 4, and JoAnna, 4 months. They will no doubt remember his last words to his family, “I love y’all,” 36 years ago, finally leaving after repeatedly coming back to the house to kiss his girls’ goodbye.
They may explain how his three girls graduated from college, paid by the NFL. “We didn’t pay a penny,” Carolyn would say.
The articles will explain how his Tamika is now a dialysis technician, Crystal is a registered nurse and lab technician, and no-longer baby JoAnna works in health and information at a medical center.
A proud Carolyn likens her girls to her husband,
“They’re like their dad.
They like to care for people.”
You will read about how Joe liked to help those in his hometown, from paying electric bills for people with limited income, to mowing lawns for his elderly neighbors when home in Haughton… even after making it to the NFL… to even taking neighborhood kids for haircuts, buying weights and uniforms for the Haughton High players, and a host of other small… but, oh so, significant… acts of kindness that embodied the measure of the man. Some writers will focus on a few of his football achievements. Among them:
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- 1981 AFC Rookie of the Year
- 1981 Pro Bowler
- 1997 College Hall of Fame Inductee
- 3,047 yards rushing, 31 touchdowns, 188 points – all-time at Northwestern State
- 1,121 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns – 1981 Chiefs Rookie Season
Once, immediately after a game in which Delaney hung 193 yards rushing, one rushing touchdown, and one passing touchdown on his Houston Oilers, future Pro Football Hall of Famer, defensive end Elvin Bethea remarked, “I’ve played against the best–O. J. Simpson, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and (Delaney) ranks right up there with them … He is great with a capital G.”
It will also be mentioned that, while never officially retired, his No. 37 has never been worn since his last season in 1982. Or how the 1983 Chiefs wore a circular patch bearing a gold eagle and No. 37 on the upper left chest of their uniforms in honor of their heroic, fallen teammate.
We will learn about the Joe Delaney Award given annually by Profootballtalk to “One of the NFL’s best running backs who also demonstrates admirable character and unselfishness, traits that were embodied by Delaney.”
There will be other words penned to remind us of the many local, NCAA, and Northwestern States awards and memorials in Delaney’s honor. You will read of the 37 Forever Foundation, created by a group of Kansas City Chiefs fans which works with the American Red Cross to provide swimming lessons for underprivileged children.
Unfortunately, this piece is none of that. I know better than to think mere words might convey the feelings of NFL fans worldwide, nor pay tribute to such a noble, courageous, and caring man.
The purpose is to simply say, “Thank you to No. 37, Kansas City Chiefs running back and hero, Joe Delaney.”
“Thank you for being part of Chiefs Kingdom. Thank you for caring for others more than you cared for yourself. Thank you for inspiring us to be better people, but most of all, thank you for reminding us that there are many, much more important things in life than football.”
Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne
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