Flanagan: Delaney’s No. 37 “unofficially” retired by the Chiefs
 

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/691532.html



Delaney’s No. 37 “unofficially” retired by the Chiefs


News that Emmitt Thomas’ jersey No. 18 will be retired this fall raised the question by some fans: Will Joe Delaney’s No. 37 ever be retired?

The answer is no, probably not. But then again, don’t expect any Chiefs player to ever wear No. 37 again.

Delaney’s No. 37 may forever be on the “unofficially” retired list.

“The criteria for retiring jerseys was established by Lamar Hunt,” said Chiefs associate director of media relations Pete Moris. “And that’s the criteria we use.

“Basically, if a Chiefs player gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the basis of that election was based on his career with the Chiefs, his number will be retired.”

It isn’t likely Delaney will ever make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But no one, according to Moris, has worn No. 37 for the Chiefs since Delaney’s death.

Delaney, a second-round draft pick from Northwestern Louisiana, started 10 games during his rookie season in 1981 and gained 1,121 yards. Delaney also led the Chiefs in rushing with 380 yards during the strike-shortened 1982 season.

But on June 29, 1983, as he sat near a pond in Monroe, La., he heard the screams of three boys. Though not a swimmer, Delaney jumped in the pond and tried to pull the boys out.

Delaney, 24, and two of the boys drowned. Another was able to make it out of the pond.

While Delaney’s No. 37 isn’t likely to be worn again, neither is Marcus Allen’s No. 32 nor Derrick Thomas’ No. 58.

“Marcus is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but did he make it there as a result of his Chiefs’ career?” Moris said. “Probably not. That being said, will anyone wear No. 32 again here? Probably not.”

Chiefs’ fan conduct

There was an amusing item I mentioned in my blog on Monday about the Chiefs’ “Fan Code of Conduct,” which is posted on the team’s Web site. One policy stated that the Arrowhead Stadium staff will proactively intervene with fans who are “standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans.”

No standing at a football game? Ever? Yes, that’s laughable. But as I noted, the vague wording of the code needed to be changed, not the spirit of the code. It’s fine to stand, jump, cheer, do cartwheels or whatever when the action on the field warrants it. Or stand and scream if you’re trying to motivate the team (yes, the Chiefs may need a lot of that).

But don’t be that guy who has to stand all the time just to be a nuisance to the people behind him.

The Chiefs apparently have obliged about the wording of the code, which now reads “continuous standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans.”

By the way, even the Raiders have a fan conduct code. One way to get kicked out of a Raiders game is by “refusal to remove or turn inside-out clothing deemed offensive or obscene upon request by stadium personnel.” Wouldn’t that apply to everyone at a Raiders game?

Love the raiders comment.

I wonder how many other "unofficial" jerseys there are. 19?

It's gotta be close to that.

I don't have so much of a problem with Marcus, but I think it's a bit ridiculous that no one's wore #19 since Montana was here and he played for us a total of 2 seasons.

How many numbers have the Chiefs "retired"? Some of them are obvious choices, but look at the Packers. They have three numbers retired right now. Just three. Of course, that will go up to four for number 4 if and when he really does retire, but to think of all the players that have come and gone through Lambeau, not even to mention their history and those that made the HoF, and to see them have only three numbers retired makes you wonder why the Chiefs do what they do. Marcus was a great player for us while he was here, but no way should his number be retired, officially or unofficially. Same for #19.

#19 & #32 should be dipped in gold and stored away in ziplock bags in honor of some rare Chiefs playoff W's earned.

I'm possibly as emotionally involved as any other fan and I think it would be great if #37 were put back into circulation. It's been 25 years. I'd rather be excited about some you player wearing the number than never see it again.

There's a full list here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...etired_numbers

3 -- Jan Stenerud
16 -- Len Dawson
28 -- Abner Haynes
33 -- Stone Johnson
36 -- Mack Lee Hill
63 -- Willie Lanier
78 -- Bobby Bell
86 -- Buck Buchanan

Put Stone Johnson and Mack Lee Hill's numbers back into circulation as well. It's been nearly 50 years. That's plenty of honor.

There's a full list here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...etired_numbers

3 -- Jan Stenerud
16 -- Len Dawson
28 -- Abner Haynes
33 -- Stone Johnson
36 -- Mack Lee Hill
63 -- Willie Lanier
78 -- Bobby Bell
86 -- Buck Buchanan

I mentioned it in another thread a while back, but the Chiefs have more retired jerseys than any other AFC team and all but 3 NFC teams.

Oh, and according to that page, the Pack have retired 5 numbers. Your point is still valid, though.

Officially retired numbers: 3, 16, 28, 33, 36, 63, 78, 86
Unofficially retired numbers: 19, 32, 37, 58


That is 12 numbers retired in 48 years, not to mention 68 and 88.

At this rate we will run out of numbers in 144 years. Just another example of the shortsightedness of the Chiefs organization.

Has anyone worn #14 since Blackledge left?

Carl was so embarrassed over drafting that disaster, he hasn't let anyone wear it since.

Makes sense...so using the 'unofficial' criteria, could we legitimately state that Blackledge's number has been 'unofficially' retired as well?

I stand corrected. Thanks.


ANd a further view about the Chiefs not releasing 32 - I feel that it's just a petty shot at the Raiders, nothing more. While there's nothing wrong with that, it's run its course. I would love to see Jamaal Charles running around in #32.

"Banned" may be a better term.