While there are many different categories of awards presented by the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, some years the Committee finds that there are people deserving of recognition who do not necessarily fit into one specific category. For that reason, the Committee presents the
Jimmy Collins Awards to outstanding individuals and organizations.
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Collins was a longtime supporter of New Orleans sports who is credited with creating the New Orleans Sports Awards and forming the awards committee in 1958.
He was undersized and underweight. At 5-10 and 185 pounds, Joe Delany was not typical NFL material. But then, Joe Delaney was not a typical human being.
Things like standard height and weight mattered little to Joe, who would rather measure potential by the amount of heart and desire inside a player.
Delaney developed his potential so well that his NFL rookie season created the most excitement in Kansas City since Hank Stram's Superbowl championship in 1970. For his efforts, Delaney was featured on the cover of the 1982 Chiefs media guide. His future was bright.
But that future came to an abrupt end on June 29, 1983 in Monroe, La. Acting on the same instinct that made him one of the NFL's best running backs, Delaney dived into a rain-swollen pond to save three drowning boys. One youth made it to the bank safely. The other two boys drowned with Joe Delaney.
Though Delaney was a marginal swimmer and not fond of the water, as the father of three children, he never hesitated going after the three troubled youths. He gave his life trying to save them.
Delaney was honored at the Sugar Bowl's annual sports awards ceremony on April 24, 1984, when he was posthumously presented with a Jimmy Collins Award for a life that exemplified the highest degree of amateur and professional athletics and whose death exemplified the highest degree of self sacrifice.
Delaney's career began at Haughton High School in his hometown. What he lacked in size and strength, Delaney made up for in speed, quickness and desire.
He played his wide receiver and cornerback positions so well that many major colleges came knocking only to lose Delaney to Northwest Louisiana University. There, his 4.4 speed enabled him to set a new school rushing record with 3,047 yards.
In his brilliant four year career with the Demons, Delaney was named to the coaches 1980 First Team Division 1-AA All-America team, and received All-America status in track as part of the 400-meter relay team that won the NCAA title in
39.3 seconds.
Delaney's exploits at a small college did not go unnoticed. Kansas City head coach Marv Levy made the little speedster the Chiefs second-round draft choice, the 41st player selected in the 1982 NFL draft.
Delaney became an immediate sensation. With his lightning-quick speed and dazzling open field running, Joe set four new Chiefs' rushing records, became the only rookie starter on the AFC's Pro Bowl squad, and was voted the Chiefs' most valuable player. Add to this numerous other awards and it is no wonder why Delaney was considered the "steal" of the 1981 draft.
The Houston Oilers great Elvin Bethea said of Delaney, "I've played against the best...O.J. (Simpson), Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and (Delaney) ranks right up there with them. He is great, with a capital G."
In the strike-shortened 1982 season, Delaney again led Kansas City in rushing with 380 yards in 95 carries despite only three wins against six losses by the Chiefs.
But that's the way Joe Delaney lived – always striving for the best no matter what the situation. His desire for perfection through dedication and self-sacrifice exemplified the way he lived. His death could be nothing less.
