Joe Delaney

Joe Alton Delaney (; October 30, 1958 – June 29, 1983) was an American professional football player who was a running back for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). In his two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Delaney set four franchise records that would stand for more than 20 years. His nephew is Terrace Marshall Jr.

He was a two-time All-American athlete for the Northwestern State Demons football team, as well as a track and field star. Delaney played two seasons with the Chiefs and was chosen as the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1981 by United Press International. Discouraged by his father from pursuing his dreams of playing football, Delaney became the starting wide receiver by his junior year at Haughton.

Delaney played for Division I-AA's Northwestern State Demons from 1977 to 1980. After telling his coach of his willingness to play football at the collegiate level, Delaney switched to the running back position. While at Northwestern State, Delaney met his future wife, Carolyn, and they had two children by his senior year. United Press International named him Rookie of the Year of the American Football Conference for the 1981 NFL season after he rushed for 1,121 yards, set four club records, and averaged 80.9 yards a game. the longest rushing play from scrimmage in the 1981 NFL season. Oilers defensive end (and future Pro Football Hall of Famer) Elvin Bethea was quoted in saying:

A strike by NFL players and an eye injury limited Delaney's playing time in the 1982 NFL season.

Professional statistics

Year Team GP Rushing Receiving Kick returns Fum Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD 1981 KC 15 234 1,121 4.8 82 3 22 246 11.2 61 0 1 11 11.0 11 0 9 1982 KC 8 95 380 4.0 36 0 11 53 4.8 13 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 Career 23 329 1,501 4.6 82 3 33 299 9.1 61 0 1 11 11.0 11 0 0 Source: The water hole, which covered two acres and was deep, was not intended for swimming but to add to the park's aesthetics. Despite his inability to swim, Delaney nevertheless tried to rescue the children. One child managed to get out of the water without harm and another was taken to an emergency room where he later died; police recovered the body of Delaney and the remaining child. The NCAA posthumously awarded Delaney the NCAA Award of Valor in 1984. and a golf tournament that generates support for the athletic program. A permanent shrine honoring him sits under the home stands at Northwestern State's Turpin Stadium and his number 44 jersey hangs in the football offices. In Virginia, the Delaney Athletic Conference took its name to honor his memory in the fall of 1983, and until 2021, 13 Virginia private high schools comprised the DAC.

A group of Chiefs fans in Kansas City formed the "37Forever Foundation", which works with the American Red Cross to provide swimming lessons for underprivileged children. The Kansas City Chiefs unofficially retired Delaney's jersey number 37 following his death, and he was elected to the team's Hall of Fame in 2004. His name is included in the Chiefs' ring of honor at Arrowhead Stadium. Delaney is also the uncle of wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.