Joe Delaney

Joe Delaney (1958-1983) was an american football player in the National Football League.

Career

Joe Delaney was born on October 30, 1958 in Henderson, Texas. He was drafted #2 in 1981 by the Kansas City Chiefs after a career at Northwestern State University. He was an All-American in football and track while in college. He was the first Northwestern player to rush for more than career 3000 yards.

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October 30 - 1958 - Henderson, Texas - 1981 - Kansas City Chiefs - Northwestern State University - All-American

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Delaney broke four Chiefs single season rushing records in 1981 and rushed for 1121 yards while being voted to the Pro Bowl. His second season was the strike-shortened season of 1982 in which injuries (a detached retina and leg injuries) limited him even more. He only ran for 380 yards that season.

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Pro Bowl - 1982

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On June 23, 1983, Delaney was at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana, when he heard the cries of three young boys drowning in a pond. Delaney could not swim but jumped in anyway in an attempt to save them. One of the boys, a 6-year old boy, was able to make it out of the pond due to Joe's heroism. The other two boys, 11-year old Lancer Perkins and 11-year old Harry Holland, Jr., died with Delaney.

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June 23 - 1983 - Monroe, Louisiana

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Delaney was married to his wife Carolyn and had 3 daughters, ages 7, 5 and 4 months old when he died.

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The pond turned out to be an area where construction workers kept dirt for a waterslide at the city park that had filled with rain water. It covered two acres.

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