On June 29, 1983, Kansas City Chiefs RB Joe Delaney lost his life trying to save three children from drowning in a lake and, 28 years later, we have a similar heroic act from a Chiefs players which, fortunately, didn't cost him his life.
The Americus Times Recorder has the full (and incredible) story but Chiefs TE Leonard Pope saved a six-year old boy from drowning last weekend. Anne Moore tells the paper the story of Pope saving her six-year old son, Bryson.
"We were attending a pool party, and Bryson was in the water with the other kids," said Moore, who has known Pope since he was a little boy. "All of a sudden, I saw Bryson going down in the water and I started screaming. Leonard was inside, and he came out of nowhere and dove into the water without any hesitation, cell phone in his pocket and all. He saved my son's life, and I am so thankful that he was there for me and my child."
Pope was the only person at the party who knew how to swim so I don't want to think what would have happened if he weren't there.
"My prayers were answered by God when Leonard jumped in and saved my son," said Moore. "The fact that he is normally at camp and could have been in Kansas City just proved to me that he was placed here to save my son from drowning, and I thank God that he was here. He truly lived up to his nickname "Champ" because he was truly a champion for me and my son this past weekend."
This is simply incredible. Just...wow. Pope's not even quoted in the story so this isn't something he's trying to draw attention to. Usually the only stories we read on Pope in the offseason involve various camps he's involved in. I'm glad to see this out-of-the-ordinary story has a happy ending.
I don't think I'll ever be able to look at Pope the same. What a guy.