Kansas City Chiefs RB Joe Delaney Died 26 Years Ago Today

by Joel Thorman on Jun 29, 2009 7:19 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason

Joe Delaney: 1958-1983

Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney died 26 years ago. A second round pick by the Chiefs in 1981, Delaney played only two seasons in Kansas City before his life came to a tragic end.

Three boys were swimming in a pond in Monroe, LA at about two in the afternoon. As they waded out farther away from the shore, they would soon find that the bottom dropped off. Screaming and thrashing in the water, only one man in a crowd of people stepped forward.

Joe Delaney.

"Can you swim?" a little boy asked Joe.

"I can't swim good but I've got to save those kids. If I don't come up, get somebody." Unfortunate for the rest of the world and the Kansas City Chiefs, those were the last words of Joe Delaney as he died while trying to save the kids.

One of the boys was able to find his way to the shore. The two others and Delaney did not.

This article by Frank Deford of Sports Illustrated from November 7th, 1983, is a must-read on Joe.

On this day, we tip our hats to a man we proudly call a member of the Kansas City Chiefs family. Delaney's inspiring act reminds us of the common bond that connects all human beings, which is perhaps his greatest legacy.

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Comments

He is of the rarest breed of men.

Those who willingly risk their lives for the safety of others are a cut above the rest. Rest in Peace Joe, and know that you did a good thing.

by huskersnchiefs on Jun 29, 2009 7:37 AM CDT reply actions

The true meaning of hero.

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Jun 29, 2009 7:48 AM CDT reply actions

A Tragic loss

I remember watching Joe play and thinking He was the next Great Chief, a player who would make the Chiefs better. He seemed unstoppable on the field, His sudden loss was a shock and a bigger loss than we knew. This is the truest definition of the word “Hero” in my opinion not just because he died while trying to save others lives, but by living in a way to be an example for others. Happy Birthday Joe, you were taken too soon.

is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?

by KC Fanatic on Jun 29, 2009 8:08 AM CDT reply actions

Absolutely

by Supersport on Jun 29, 2009 8:34 AM CDT reply actions

God Bless you joe for everything

by Chiefs190 on Jun 29, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

“For those of you wondering why Joe’s #37 isn’t one of the Chiefs’ officially retired numbers, it’s because Lamar Hunt set the standard of retiring a Chiefs player number only when they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

I’m curious as to where this comes from, since there are currently three retired numbers for non HOF players:

Retired Jersey Numbers (non HOF in bold)
3 Jan Stenerud, Kicker
16 Len Dawson, Quarterback
28 Abner Haynes, Running Back
33 Stone Johnson, Running Back
36 Mack Lee Hill, Running Back
63 Willie Lanier, Linebacker
78 Bobby Bell, Linebacker
86 Buck Buchanan, Defensive Tackle

by ICTChief on Jun 29, 2009 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

Good point

There may be other reasons for those guys being on there.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Jun 29, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

That may be the policy now

As oppposed to back when those guys were put in the Chiefs HOF.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Jun 29, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I think that's the case.

Abner Haynes had retired, and Johnson and Hill died – all before the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl. Probably just a different policy at the time.

by jbj8609 on Jun 29, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

The story behind a couple of those

Stone Johnson was a Olympic sprinter in the 1960’s Olympics. Stone Johnson equaled the world record in running 20.5 for the 200.

He became a KR/ RB for the Chiefs. In the 1963 Preseason game against the Raiders in Wichita KS he was hit and broke his neck. He died 10 days later from that. He never played a down in regular season in the NFL. What is significant in this is that the team moved to Kansas City that year and being the new Kansas City Chiefs having a player die from a football injury. His number was the first to be retired by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mack Lee Hill nicknamed “The Truck” was a rookie in 1964 with the Chiefs and played just under 2 years. Essentially he replace Stone Johnson as a RB. He go a whole whopping $300.00 signing bonus. He was the second leading rusher in both seasons. In his rookie year he was in the Pro Bowl. In 1965 he was changed to the HB position.

In the 1965 AFL Championship game agains the Buffalo Bills

“After a Short gain, Mack Lee Hill is swarmed by the Bills’ defense: JohnTracey (51), Tom Sestak (70), Harry Jacobs (64), and Gene Sykes (23). Jim Dunaway (78, number not visible) makes the tackle.”

Mack Lee Hill’s knee was injured and he was taken off the field. He underwent routine surgery for the injury but died on the operating table in Kansas City on December 14, 1965, of acute heat stroke.

In a matter of a 2 year span the Kansas City Chiefs had two players die.

Yeah, let's just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys! ...

Order your Arrowhead Pride Wolf Pack T-shirt at ARROWHEAD ATTITUDE

by oldchiefsfan on Jun 29, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions