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

**Tribal Warfare** · 07-03-2008, 10:51 PM

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?

07-03-2008, 10:51 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $592813	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?
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