Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are in the offseason recovering from a tough 2025 NFL season. Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era last season, finishing 6-11. Before last season, Mahomes had led the Chiefs to at least the AFC championship game every year prior.
Even with the disastrous 2025 season, tight end Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are cemented in Kansas City franchise history. With the trio securing three Super Bowl championships together, they hope to one day be inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor is located on the lower-level concourse of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and honors past franchise legends.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
On Monday, Kansas City decided to honor a Chiefs Hall of Honor player. Joe Delaney was a running back for the Chiefs in 1981 and 1982 whose career and life were tragically cut short. On June 29, 1983, Delaney attempted to rescue three boys who were struggling in a pond at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana.
Although Delaney did not know how to swim well, he still jumped into the water to save the boys. He was able to save at least one child before tragically perishing in the water. The Haughton High School graduate was only 24 years old at the time of his death.
Delaney showed promise in the league after being drafted by Kansas City in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft with the No. 41 overall pick. The 5-foot-10 running back had more than 1,000 rushing yards (1,121) and led the NFL with the longest run from scrimmage (82 yards) as a rookie.
"On this day in 1983, Joe Delaney died a hero," the Chiefs wrote on X. "Attempting to save three children from drowning. Today and always, we honor his memory and sacrifice."
Kansas City will start the 2026 NFL regular season with a home opener at Arrowhead Stadium against the Denver Broncos. The game will be played on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
