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

[Tribal Warfare]

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?

[Bowser]

Huh. The Chargers only have two numbers retired - #14 Dan Fouts and #19 Lance Alworth, and the Raiders have ZERO. That kind of suprises me with the Raiders.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Huh. The Chargers only have two numbers retired - #14 Dan Fouts and #19 Lance Alworth, and the Raiders have ZERO. That kind of suprises me with the Raiders.

Marinovich's number is unofficially retired for the Raiders.

Originally Posted by KCTitus

Marinovich's number is unofficially retired for the Raiders.

Now that you mention it, I've not seen "420" on any black jerseys since poor Todd.

[Bowser]

Heh. Marinovich probably still pisses himself every time he sees the number 58.

[teedubya]

wow, Phobia with a 420 reference.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

Couldn't agree more.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by DaFace

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

Gotta add #18 to that list.......

[Chief Chief]

I'd love to see it where the organization authorizes a team- and/or coach(es)-approved selection of one offensive and one defensive player out of training camp who showed outstanding abilities/ethics (attitude, sportsmanship, teamwork, etc.) deserving to wear #37 and #58, respectively. It would show a great amount of respect, keep them in remembrance, and build tradition.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by cdcox

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

That was Steadman's fuck up, not Carl's

[Programmer]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Huh. The Chargers only have two numbers retired - #14 Dan Fouts and #19 Lance Alworth, and the Raiders have ZERO. That kind of suprises me with the Raiders.

Not me, nobody has ever been good enough for Al Davis.

Maybe when he is no longer around some will be retired.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Chief Chief

I'd love to see it where the organization authorizes a team- and/or coach(es)-approved selection of one offensive and one defensive player out of training camp who showed outstanding abilities/ethics (attitude, sportsmanship, teamwork, etc.) deserving to wear #37 and #58, respectively. It would show a great amount of respect, keep them in remembrance, and build tradition.

I am definitely on board with this. Hopefully it would lead to some team unity.

[ChiefsCountry]

DT's will be retired officially shortly.

Originally Posted by Chief Chief

I'd love to see it where the organization authorizes a team- and/or coach(es)-approved selection of one offensive and one defensive player out of training camp who showed outstanding abilities/ethics (attitude, sportsmanship, teamwork, etc.) deserving to wear #37 and #58, respectively. It would show a great amount of respect, keep them in remembrance, and build tradition.

That's fantastic. I've been a bit nervous about advocating the issuance of #37 but if it were reserved for somebody who proved worthy that would be incredible. I mean, how insulting would it be for somebody like Sims to be given a respected number..... heh.... like #90.