Chiefs #37

**luv** · 08-11-2011, 07:23 AM

So, tell me more about Joe Delaney. I've read that he set a couple of franchise records that remained in place for nearly 20 years, and he was the AFC Rookie of the Year? Did anyone see him play? How do you think he would have done with a longer career? Hall of Fame?

Direckshun · 08-11-2011, 08:08 AM

I predict this will be a good thread.

Looking forward to some of the old schoolers weighing in on one of the greats to wear a Chiefs jersey.

**gblowfish** · 08-11-2011, 08:17 AM

I saw his whole career. He was short but thick. Explosive fast. If you made Thomas Jones a little shorter, and gave him Charles' speed, add the ability to cut on a dime, you have Delaney. I don't remember throwing to him a lot out of the backfield, we'd have to go back and look at his receiving stats. Charles is the closest thing to him in a long time. He could break one at any time with just a crack of daylight.

And of course he was taken from us right as his career was starting to blossom.

**luv** · 08-11-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I saw his whole career. He was short but thick. Explosive fast. If you made Thomas Jones a little shorter, and gave him Charles' speed, add the ability to cut on a dime, you have Delaney. I don't remember throwing to him a lot out of the backfield, we'd have to go back and look at his receiving stats. Charles is the closest thing to him in a long time. He could break one at any time with just a crack of daylight.

And of course he was taken from us right as his career was starting to blossom.

For him to have set franchise records and win ROY before even starting to "blossom"? Can you just imagine?

reschief · 08-11-2011, 08:33 AM

If Joe had one small opening, he would burst through it. He was small and unbelievably fast, but also tough. He was like our own Walter Payton, only faster. He passed away as a true hero giving his life to save a drowning child. I recalled how I felt when learning of his tragic death when DT passed.

**mlyonsd** · 08-11-2011, 08:54 AM

He was super fast, elusive, and had good vision. In a game against Denver his rookie year he broke a 75 yard run for a TD that was nulified by a penalty. Two plays later he did the same thing from 82 yards.

THAT was when I knew we had something special.

ForeverChiefs58 · 08-11-2011, 09:07 AM

Here are some video tributes to remember a true hero #37

4th and Long · 08-11-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I saw his whole career. He was short but thick. Explosive fast. If you made Thomas Jones a little shorter, and gave him Charles' speed, add the ability to cut on a dime, you have Delaney. I don't remember throwing to him a lot out of the backfield, we'd have to go back and look at his receiving stats. Charles is the closest thing to him in a long time. He could break one at any time with just a crack of daylight.

And of course he was taken from us right as his career was starting to blossom.

Delaney was 5' 10" and weighed in at 184lbs. He was damn fast and his cuts were incredible. They didn't throw to him as much as you see a back grab balls these days, mostly because he was a beast when you put the rock in his hand.

In 81 he caught 22 passes for 246 yards (11.2 avg) and in 82 he only caught 11 passes for 53 yards, but he was suffering from an eye injury too.

The guy set four franchise records that stood for 20+ years. IMHO, the guy had future Hall Of Famer written all over him.

Quote:

Following Delaney's record-setting 193 yard rushing performance against the Houston Oilers on November 15, 1981, Oilers defensive end (and future Pro Football Hall of Famer) Elvin Bethea was quoted in saying: “ I've played against the best–O.J. Simpson, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and (Delaney) ranks right up there with them. He is great with a capital G.

spanky 52 · 08-11-2011, 09:28 AM

Worst day of my life as a Chief's fan was the day Joe Delaney died. Don't know if we'll ever see another Chief RB like him.

johnny961 · 08-11-2011, 09:50 AM

Guy was unbeleivable. The very first Chiefs game I ever saw in person I got to see him return a kick for a TD. He no doubt would have had an awesome career.

Direckshun · 08-11-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

He was super fast, elusive, and had good vision. In a game against Denver his rookie year he broke a 75 yard run for a TD that was nulified by a penalty. Two plays later he did the same thing from 82 yards.

THAT was when I knew we had something special.

Heh. Awesome.

rocknrolla · 08-11-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

So, tell me more about Joe Delaney. I've read that he set a couple of franchise records that remained in place for nearly 20 years, and he was the AFC Rookie of the Year? Did anyone see him play? How do you think he would have done with a longer career? Hall of Fame?

Rep. Great thread for such a great person and player.

**luv** · 08-11-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrolla

Rep. Great thread for such a great person and player.

I "like" the Official NFL Shop page on facebook. They had a status about approaching 37,000 "likes" on their page. In honor of that, they asked who people thought the greatest player was to wear the number 37. I, of course, immediately named Joe Delaney. Others were saying Rodney Harrison, Deion Sanders, Shaun Alexander, Doak Walker, etc. It just made me wonder how much more well-known Delaney would have been, how great he would have been, had he had more time. I read some stuff, but just wondered how people on here felt and what they thought.

And thanks for the rep. Makes up for Saul's neg rep saying "stop"...lol.

stevieray · 08-11-2011, 01:06 PM

...when JD ran, he didn't run like other players... it was like he had another gear and he ran so fast and so smoothly, it was nothing short of poetry in motion...it's hard to explain, but you know it when you see it.

**luv** · 08-11-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

...when JD ran, he didn't run like other players... it was like he had another gear and he ran so fast and so smoothly, it was nothing short of poetry in motion...it's hard to explain, but you know it when you see it.

I read where he ran track and field in college as well.

08-11-2011, 07:23 AM
luv MY LITTLE #15 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $6089600	#37 So, tell me more about Joe Delaney. I've read that he set a couple of franchise records that remained in place for nearly 20 years, and he was the AFC Rookie of the Year? Did anyone see him play? How do you think he would have done with a longer career? Hall of Fame?
Posts: 63,446

08-11-2011, 08:08 AM	#2
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	I predict this will be a good thread. Looking forward to some of the old schoolers weighing in on one of the greats to wear a Chiefs jersey.
Posts: 59,314

08-11-2011, 08:33 AM	#5
reschief Starter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: kansas Casino cash: $10007299	If Joe had one small opening, he would burst through it. He was small and unbelievably fast, but also tough. He was like our own Walter Payton, only faster. He passed away as a true hero giving his life to save a drowning child. I recalled how I felt when learning of his tragic death when DT passed.
Posts: 619

08-11-2011, 08:54 AM	#6
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $1393762	He was super fast, elusive, and had good vision. In a game against Denver his rookie year he broke a 75 yard run for a TD that was nulified by a penalty. Two plays later he did the same thing from 82 yards. THAT was when I knew we had something special.
Posts: 38,906

08-11-2011, 09:07 AM	#7
ForeverChiefs58 MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $2715326	Here are some video tributes to remember a true hero #37
Posts: 10,530

08-11-2011, 08:17 AM	#3
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17606178 VARSITY	I saw his whole career. He was short but thick. Explosive fast. If you made Thomas Jones a little shorter, and gave him Charles' speed, add the ability to cut on a dime, you have Delaney. I don't remember throwing to him a lot out of the backfield, we'd have to go back and look at his receiving stats. Charles is the closest thing to him in a long time. He could break one at any time with just a crack of daylight. And of course he was taken from us right as his career was starting to blossom.
Posts: 40,843

08-11-2011, 09:28 AM	#9
spanky 52 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $2325601	Worst day of my life as a Chief's fan was the day Joe Delaney died. Don't know if we'll ever see another Chief RB like him.
Posts: 1,026

08-11-2011, 09:50 AM	#10
johnny961 Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: in a cave Casino cash: $9956152	Guy was unbeleivable. The very first Chiefs game I ever saw in person I got to see him return a kick for a TD. He no doubt would have had an awesome career.
Posts: 924

08-11-2011, 01:06 PM	#14
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2305273	...when JD ran, he didn't run like other players... it was like he had another gear and he ran so fast and so smoothly, it was nothing short of poetry in motion...it's hard to explain, but you know it when you see it.
Posts: 71,356