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:
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?"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."
