The phrase “hero” is thrown round quite a bit as of late. Some persons are deserving of the label, like firefighters, nurses, medical doctors, and so forth. However, we generally use the time period when discussing exceptional 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 totally different game-tying/game-winning pictures. But once we speak about heroes on this planet of sports activities, we should at all times point out former Kansas City Chiefs operating again Joe Delaney, who misplaced his life on June twenty ninth, 1983, whereas trying to save lots of three youngsters from drowning, regardless that he wasn’t a great swimmer.
Delaney made a reputation for himself whereas taking part in faculty soccer at Northwestern State University in Louisiana from 1977 to 1980. He was named an All-American twice whereas dashing for 3,047 yards and 31 touchdowns throughout his faculty profession. As a outcome, his quantity was retired by the varsity in 1980, and he was later enshrined within the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Delaney’s prolific faculty profession caught the eye of the National Football League, which led to him being chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs within the second spherical of the 1981 NFL Draft. He went on to have the most effective rookie seasons of all time, dashing for 1,121 yards whereas recording 22 receptions for 246 receiving yards. His on-field efficiency earned him a spot within the Pro Bowl and the 1981 UPI AFC Rookie of the Year award.
Unfortunately, Delaney was not capable of replicate the identical success he had in 1981 the subsequent season. A strike by NFL gamers, coupled with an eye fixed damage, restricted Delaney to only eight video games in the course of the 1982 season. Even although he confirmed loads of promise as a soccer participant, he by no means performed in one other NFL recreation due to his heroic sacrifice.
On June twenty ninth, 1983, Delaney drove a group of children to a Monroe, Louisiana park for a “Kids Day” event sponsored by an area tv station, in accordance with NCAA archives. While on the park, three youngsters swam out right into a water gap left behind by some latest building. Soon after venturing out into the water gap, the three youngsters started to cry for assist. Even although he didn’t know methods to swim nicely, Joe Delaney leapt into motion to attempt to save the kids anyway.
42 years in the past at present, 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 City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 29, 2025
“I can’t swim good, however I’ve acquired to save lots of these children,” he informed a baby who requested him if he knew methods to swim. “If I don’t come up, get anyone.”
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 might be saved.
“When these little children wanted assist, he gave up his life attempting to save lots of them. He wasn’t a swimmer. He didn’t have any enterprise being round water, a lot much less attempting to save lots of another person who was drowning,” mentioned former Chiefs teammate Tom Condon. “You simply can’t put it in phrases. The man had an amazing coronary heart; he was particular.”
Though 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.
Just just a few weeks after his passing, Delaney was posthumously awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by U.S. President Ronald Regan, who mentioned, “He made the final 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 Americans.”
Yesterday marked the fortieth anniversary of the dying of Joe Delaney, a hero who gave his life attempting to save lots of three youngsters from drowning.
In his honor, the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim program was created to show youngsters methods to swim and forestall drowning. pic.twitter.com/2DzjIhLiz9
— Trey Smith (@treysmith) June 30, 2023
Several 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 group’s Ring of Honor. Even at present, Northwestern State University provides out the Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership Award to everlasting group captains every year.
“His humility, his unselfishness, his inspirational talents had been really exceptional,” mentioned former Northwestern State University president Randall J. Webb. “The heroic method wherein 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 attempting to assist these children. This 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, realizing 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 may all profit from in a day and age the place there may be a lot vitriol, violence, and hate on this planet.
Every 12 months, when June twenty ninth comes round, we must always all take a second to recollect Joe Delaney and the final word sacrifice he made. More importantly, if we are able to every attempt to keep in mind Delaney’s actions and embody the bravery and selflessness that he embodied, then we are able to create a world that Joe Delaney can be pleased with.
