The Kansas City Chiefs selected running back Joe Delaney out of Louisiana’s Northwestern State in the second round (41st overall) in the 1981 NFL Draft.
During a time when the team wasn’t very good, Delaney was a shining star in Kansas City. During his rookie season, he ran for 1,121 yards (and three touchdowns) on 234 attempts, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also collected 246 yards on 22 catches.
Following the strike-shortened 1982 season, Delaney was back home in Louisiana. While visiting an amusement park with some friends in Monroe on June 29, Delaney drowned while trying to save three children in a nearby pond.