In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 37.
This is the second number in a row where there has only been two selections available. The thirties, as it were, tell an important part of the story of the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. From time to time, tragedy strikes and the players must respond together as a team to the news. These are also ways in which we see a different side of the men who wear the red and gold each Sunday.
As we look for the best Chiefs player to ever wear each uniform number, we’ve now stumbled into two consecutive numbers—here at No. 36 and 37—in which only two players have ever worn the jersey. With No. 36, we learned the story of Mack Lee Hill. Now we have the tragic heroism of Joe Delaney.
The Others
Besides the two listed players below, no other member of the Kansas City Chiefs has worn this number.
The Runner-up: Tim Collier
It’s a little weird to think that no one in Chiefs history wore the No. 37 until Tim Collier suited up in it when the Chiefs drafted him in the 9th round in the 1976 NFL Draft. That’s a long stretch for a single number to go unclaimed, but Collier was the first man to take it.
Collier emerged from East Texas State, a small NAIA school who won a national championship during Collier’s tenure in 1972. The defensive back was taken in the draft by the Chiefs and went on to play a much more significant role than anyone would have likely guessed for such a longshot of a pick.
Collier played in 52 games for the Chiefs, starting 22 of them, in the late ’70s and had 9 interceptions for K.C. He would go on to play for another five seasons after leaving the Chiefs with St. Louis and San Francisco, grabbing a total of 15 INTs between all three franchises in his 9 year career.
The Winner: Joe Delaney
In 1981, the Kansas City Chiefs struck gold in the second round of the NFL Draft when they selected running back Joe Delaney. The Northwestern State product (Louisiana) would go on to win the AFC Rookie of the Year award after rushing for 1,121 yards on 234 carries, including an NFL best 82-yard carry. The two-time collegiate All-American was considered the fastest back in the NFL, a rising star with the world in front of him.
Two years later, Delaney would forfeit all of that to do something he’d never done before: swim. The attempted rescue of three drowning boys in Louisiana would end up cost Delaney his own life as the star back had never learned to swim. Someone had to help and he answered the call, without once thinking of his own well-being.
There are a number of wonderful versions of Delaney’s story that have been crafted, and we’d invite you to check those out, including the 30 for 30 film entitled Delaney. But here at least we can take a moment out and remember the tremendous sacrifice made by a young running back to simply do what he felt was his civic duty.
Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 36
Congratulations to Joe Delaney for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 37 on his uniform!