The phrase “hero” is thrown round loads today. Some persons are deserving of the label, like firefighters, nurses, docs, and so forth. Nonetheless, we typically use the time period when discussing outstanding particular person athletic performances. Even lately, Tyrese Haliburton was dubbed the “hero” of the Indiana Pacers’ 2025 playoff run as a result of he hit 4 completely different game-tying/game-winning photographs. However after we discuss heroes on the planet of sports activities, we should at all times point out former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs operating again Joe Delaney, who misplaced his life on June twenty ninth, 1983, whereas trying to save lots of three youngsters from drowning, although he wasn’t swimmer.
Delaney made a reputation for himself whereas enjoying school soccer at Northwestern State College in Louisiana from 1977 to 1980. He was named an All-American twice whereas speeding for 3,047 yards and 31 touchdowns throughout his school profession. Consequently, his quantity was retired by the varsity in 1980, and he was later enshrined within the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1997.
Delaney’s prolific school profession caught the eye of the Nationwide Soccer League, which led to him being chosen by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the second spherical of the 1981 NFL Draft. He went on to have probably the greatest rookie seasons of all time, speeding for 1,121 yards whereas recording 22 receptions for 246 receiving yards. His on-field efficiency earned him a spot within the Professional Bowl and the 1981 UPI AFC Rookie of the Yr award.
Sadly, Delaney was not capable of replicate the identical success he had in 1981 the following season. A strike by NFL gamers, coupled with a watch harm, restricted Delaney to simply eight video games throughout the 1982 season. Although he confirmed loads of promise as a soccer participant, he by no means performed in one other NFL sport due to his heroic sacrifice.
On June twenty ninth, 1983, Delaney drove a bunch of kids to a Monroe, Louisiana park for a “Children Day” occasion sponsored by an area tv station, in response to NCAA archives. Whereas on the park, three youngsters swam out right into a water gap left behind by some latest development. Quickly after venturing out into the water gap, the three youngsters started to cry for assist. Although he didn’t know the right way to swim nicely, Joe Delaney leapt into motion to attempt to save the youngsters anyway.
42 years in the past immediately, Joe Delaney tragically handed away a hero, trying to save lots of three youngsters from drowning. We’ll always remember his sacrifice ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UdYk3XVJUM
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 29, 2025
“I can’t swim good, however I’ve received to save lots of these youngsters,” he informed a toddler who requested him if he knew the right way to swim. “If I don’t come up, get someone.”
He managed to assist one of many youngsters make it again to shore unscathed. Sadly, Delaney and the 2 different youngsters drowned earlier than they may very well be saved.
“When these little youngsters wanted assist, he gave up his life making an attempt to save lots of them. He wasn’t a swimmer. He didn’t have any enterprise being round water, a lot much less making an attempt to save lots of another person who was drowning,” stated former Chiefs teammate Tom Condon. “You simply can’t put it in phrases. The person had an incredible coronary heart; he was particular.”
Although Delaney misplaced his life, and he was solely capable of save one of many three youngsters, his heroics and unselfishness proceed to echo all through the annals of historical past.
Only a few weeks after his passing, Delaney was posthumously awarded the Presidential Residents Medal by U.S. President Ronald Regan, who stated, “He made the last word sacrifice by putting the lives of three youngsters above regard for his personal security. By the supreme instance of braveness and compassion, this brilliantly gifted younger man left a religious legacy for his fellow People.”
Yesterday marked the fortieth anniversary of the dying of Joe Delaney, a hero who gave his life making an attempt to save lots of three youngsters from drowning.
In his honor, the Joe Delaney Be taught to Swim program was created to show youngsters the right way to swim and forestall drowning. pic.twitter.com/2DzjIhLiz9
— Trey Smith (@treysmith) June 30, 2023
A number of distinguished organizations got here up with methods to honor Delaney’s life and legacy. In 1984, the NCAA posthumously awarded Delaney the NCAA Award of Valor. In 2004, the Chiefs unofficially retired his quantity 37 and inducted him into the workforce’s Ring of Honor. Even immediately, Northwestern State College provides out the Joe Delaney Memorial Management Award to everlasting workforce captains annually.
“His humility, his unselfishness, his inspirational talents have been really outstanding,” stated former Northwestern State College president Randall J. Webb. “The heroic method by which he left our world typifies the best way he lived every day.”
On that tragic day in 1983, there was nothing that was going to cease Joe Delaney from making an attempt to assist these youngsters. That is additional confirmed by the truth that his NCAA profile states, “Delaney had a lifelong historical past of serving to others.”
To do what he did, figuring out he was a poor swimmer, is the kind of braveness that makes the world a greater place. Joe Delaney possessed the character and bravado that we might all profit from in a day and age the place there may be a lot vitriol, violence, and hate on the planet.
Yearly, when June twenty ninth comes round, we should always all take a second to recollect Joe Delaney and the last word sacrifice he made. Extra importantly, if we will every attempt to keep in mind Delaney’s actions and embody the bravery and selflessness that he embodied, then we will create a world that Joe Delaney can be pleased with.