Nearly 27 years ago, one of the best young running backs in the NFL made a fateful choice. Actually, to call it a choice would be to imply that he paused to consider the options, weigh the risks.
Joe Delaney didn’t make a choice. He acted.
He acted in an effort to save three boys who were drowning. In the process, Delaney gave his own life.
As a rookie with the Chiefs in 1981, Delaney racked up 1,121 rushing yards. Injury limited Delaney in his second and last NFL season, making it hard to assess whether he’d eventually become one of the league’s all-time greats.
But he should never be forgotten. He made the ultimate sacrifice, for three strangers. Though it’s impossible to expect everyone/anyone else to be willing to do the same thing, there are plenty of things short of the ultimate gift that we can give to people we don’t know, who need help in any number of ways.
Toward that end, we honor Delaney’s memory every year at this time by acknowledging one NFL running back with an award in his name.
This year, the obvious choices must take a back seat to a man who excelled quietly in obscurity. With no passing game and a subpar defense and a makeshift offensive line, Steven Jackson was the lone bright spot for a Rams team that followed a two-win season with a one-win season.
He responded with one of the best years of his career, rushing for 1,416 yards. Along the way, he never complained, he didn’t demand a trade or a new contract, and he didn’t seek glory or attention.
He’s getting a little of it from us. Steven Jackson is the 2009 Joe Delaney Award winner.
Hopefully, Titans running back Chris Johnson thinks the choice is “bogus“; it would only validate our decision.
It’s more likely that Johnson doesn’t care that he didn’t win the Joe Delaney Award, which would sort of validate our decision, too.
I still don’t understand this award. If it’s for the best running back shouldn’t it be named the Barry Sanders or Walter Payton award? If it’s for the most selfless running back of the year shouldn’t it be for someone like Warrick Dunn?
Honestly, this was a cool story and it really honored the kind of player Steven Jackson is, until you started being a dick to Chris Johnson for no reason. Your opinion aside, this really wasn’t the place for it.
Good choice.
If I had kids (It is hard to pay a hooker to give birth to a child BTW) I would tell them the story of Joe Delaney and what true sacrifice is. This guy is a true hero. I look at him the way I look at our brave soldiers overseas.
i dont know,i think the dig was somewhat warranted,johnson spent all year worrying who would win in a 40 yard dash him or bolt or him or some other plyer,then there is the case of him being picked up on mic on every game with him worrying about whether he is gonna get the mvp or not,mean while his team was going 0-6,players like this delany and tillman,and dunn are far and few between,so when a player does stay level and humble he should be acknowledged and the players who are me first should be called out
Florio makes it clear the purpose of naming the award after Joe Delaney is so he’s remembered, at least by PFTers.
Payton and Sanders will be remembered anyway, and should be. Personally, I’d never heard of Delaney before the award & it’s a tremendous story.
Meh… its like getting a certificate of participation for high school athletics.
The Philadelphia Eagles would like to nominate Michael Vick for this award.
For once I have to agree with Florio. Great choice to give the award to Stephen Jackson. He worked his butt off on the worst team in the league and never complained. A lot of other players can learn from this guy what it means to be a real pro.
Canyonero says:
March 15, 2010 9:22 AM
Florio makes it clear the purpose of naming the award after Joe Delaney is so he’s remembered, at least by PFTers.
Payton and Sanders will be remembered anyway, and should be. Personally, I’d never heard of Delaney before the award & it’s a tremendous story.
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I’m willing to bet that people will remember Steven Jackson without the PFT Delaney Award.
Touching story but I don’t see the point of the award. I also think that by honoring people who performed well on the field with an award named after a man that gave his life saving someone else’s kind of cheapens the sacrifice that Delaney made.
How about honoring him with a scholarship fund for a deserving kid. I’m sure with the NBC cash flowing in there would be enough left over the help a young hardworking college football player realize his dreams.
When my daughter was born nearly seven years ago, I named her Delaney in recognition and remembrance of Joe Delaney.
I’ve told her the story of Joe Delaney several times in hopes that a little of his selflessness and heroism will rub off on her. I also have her heavily involved in swimming lessons.
Something to keep in mind about Joe Delaney and not to disrespect what Warrick Dunn does, Joe Delaney jumped into that watering hole to save those 3 boys (he only saved 1, and he ended up a convict) was that Joe Delaney never learned how to swim. He made the ultimate sacrifice. Does anybody alive think Chris Johnson would ever consider putting his life on the line for somebody he doesn’t know? Warrick Dunn is a wonderful man, but he never paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Generally I am one of those with the negative comments, but in this case Florio got it right and folks like Big Stretch got it wrong. A- it is a PFT award. B- it keeps alive the memory of a guy with a promising future who gave it up to try and save others. Big deal if it is not the most logical choice. Being an old guy I watched Joe play and really like Florio’s effort on this one.
I was only 6 when it happened, but I remember clear as day my dad telling me the story of Joe Delaney. I’m glad you have this award and Jackson is a great choice.
I think all of us would like to hope we’re as courageous as Delaney was, but let’s face it, few are. Keep this going so he is remembered.
Nice
Nothing against CJ or AP but Jackson deserved this the most.
I was saying it all year when everyone was argueing who the best back in the league is between Peterson and Johnson that it was Jackson. He put up similiar rushing numbers on the worst team by far in the league.
While the other 2 rbs are on 2 of the best teams in the league. I know the Titans didnt have a great year but they are still 1 of the best teams.
I think if you had Jackson switch places with either 1 of these guys it would be no question who the best is.
Finally PFT has some insight I can agree with.
Amen to the Joe Delaney Award!
Honestly, this was a cool story and it really honored the kind of player Steven Jackson is, until you started being a dick to Chris Johnson for no reason. Your opinion aside, this really wasn’t the place for it.