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Kansas City Chiefs Should Officially Retire Jersey of Hero Joe Delaney

Every time the Kansas City Chiefs announce that they're retiring a jersey number -- as they did recently with former cornerback Emmitt Thomas -- it raises the same question: Why haven't they retired the number of Joe Delaney?

Twenty-five years ago, Delaney was a 24-year-old running back who had led the team in rushing in both of his pro seasons. But on June 29, 1983, he drowned while trying to rescue three boys who were stuck in a pond. His No. 37 jersey has not been worn since, but it also hasn't been retired.

Why not? The Kansas City Star explains:

"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."

OK, but why not make an exception to Lamar Hunt's rule, just this once? The Chiefs have already taken No. 37 out of circulation. Why not make it official, and create a lasting tribute to Delaney's greatness, on and off the field?

Redskins to Play Colts in Hall of Fame Game

It makes sense that the Washington Redskins will appear in the preseason Hall Of Fame Game for the second time in five years. The Skins will see legends Darrell Green and Art Monk enshrined that weekend into the Hall ... as well as Emmitt Thomas, a former Kansas City Chief who spent time on Washington's coaching staff.

The Redskins will take on the Indianapolis Colts. The game will take place on August 3rd in Canton, Ohio.

The game will be the first time we'll get to see new head coach Jim Zorn leading the "maroon and black" (gotta get that one right, Jimmy). Five years ago, Joe Gibbs' return to coaching was in the Hall of Fame Game when Washington beat the Denver Broncos, 20-17. The Redskins have won all four Hall games in which they've played.

This also means that the Colts and Redskins will each have five preseason games. That may suck for the Colts, who pretty much know who they are and what they do ... but the Redskins may need that extra game to get acclimated to what Zorn may want from his team and young quarterback.

Falcons Name Emmitt Thomas Interim Coach

The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas their interim head coach, Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting.

Thomas was a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years, and his name has been in the news recently because he's a finalist to be inducted in next year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He has never been a head coach before.

The Falcons are expected to begin a major coaching search after the season and are not likely to hire the 64-year-old Thomas on a permanent basis, although if the Falcons come alive and go 3-0 with Thomas after going 3-10 with Bobby Petrino, it would be hard to deny him the job.

Thomas has been an assistant coach in Atlanta since 2002. He's one of the few assistants on the Falcons' staff who was already with the club before Petrino was hired, which may be part of the reason that Falcons owner Arthur Blank chose him to finish the year.

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