via Imago

One of the weirdest things about late May in Kansas City? It’s when diehard fans start zooming in on grainy practice photos just to spot a jersey number. The Chiefs kick off OTAs on May 27. And with the updated 90-man roster around the corner, it’s basically a second draft for jersey nerds.

Notably, the Chiefs have a tradition of not issuing the jersey number out of respect for the team’s legends, whose iconic jerseys have officially been retired. Like the legendary quarterback Len Dawson, who donned No. 16 back in his days and led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl. Or running back Stone Johnson or Mack Lee Hill. These players have cemented their names along with their jersey numbers in the Chiefs’ history.

But every year, there’s that one number no one touches, and the internet notices. We are talking about the former Chiefs’ running back, Joe Delaney. Even though the Kansas City team never officially retired his jersey number 37, that number has never been worn by anyone. And this year’s no exception. Ahead of the Chiefs’ OTAs, Andy Reid and Co. are moving ahead without using the No. 37 jersey.

To pay respect to Delaney, who just played two seasons with the Chiefs, but left a mark not just for his remarkable rookie season, or the numerous records that he set. But for his bravery and his lifelong history of helping others. Back in late June 1983, ahead of his third overall season in the NFL with the Chiefs, Delaney tragically passed away while saving three drowning kids in a pond.

After noticing three kinds of drowning and screaming for help, without a second thought, Delaney dove into the pond to save them—despite his inability to swim. He bravely managed to save one child without any harm, while the second child was taken to the emergency room, where he lost his life.

Unfortunately, the third child and the Chiefs’ running back couldn’t make it to the surface, and the police later recovered their bodies. “He made the ultimate sacrifice by placing the lives of three children above regard for his own safety,” then-President Ronald Reagan honored Joe Delaney. “By the supreme example of courage and compassion, this brilliantly gifted young man left a spiritual legacy for his fellow Americans.”

So yeah, when Andy Reid and the Chiefs decide not to use the Number 37 jersey this year again, it was out of respect for the Chiefs’ brave legend. And just like that, even though the Kansas City team never officially retired Delaney’s jersey, the number 37 remains untouched. But let’s be real—something is interesting about the young rookies and their desire to don iconic jerseys. Take Cam Ward and Abdul Carter, for instance.