{"id":53152,"date":"2025-06-03T07:46:24","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T07:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=53152"},"modified":"2025-06-03T07:46:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T07:46:24","slug":"its-the-chiefs-symbol-and-no-one-can-wear-that-legendary-shirt-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=53152","title":{"rendered":"It’s the #Chiefs symbol and no one can wear that legendary shirt.."},"content":{"rendered":"

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via Imago<\/p>\n

One of the weirdest things about late May in Kansas City? It\u2019s when diehard fans start zooming in on grainy practice photos just to spot a jersey number. The\u00a0Chiefs<\/strong>\u00a0kick off OTAs on May 27. And with the updated 90-man roster around the corner, it\u2019s basically a second draft for jersey nerds.<\/p>\n

Notably, the Chiefs have a tradition of not issuing the jersey number out of respect for the team\u2019s legends, whose iconic jerseys have officially been retired. Like the legendary quarterback\u00a0Len Dawson<\/strong>, who donned No. 16 back in his days and led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl. Or running back\u00a0Stone Johnson<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0Mack Lee Hill<\/strong>. These players have cemented their names along with their jersey numbers in the Chiefs\u2019 history.<\/p>\n

But every year, there\u2019s that one number no one touches, and the internet notices. We are talking about the former Chiefs\u2019 running back,\u00a0Joe Delaney<\/strong>. Even though the Kansas City team never officially retired his jersey number 37, that number has never been worn by anyone. And this year\u2019s no exception. Ahead of the Chiefs\u2019 OTAs,\u00a0Andy Reid<\/strong>\u00a0and Co. are moving ahead without using the No. 37 jersey.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

After noticing three kinds of drowning and screaming for help, without a second thought, Delaney dove into the pond to save them\u2014despite 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.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the third child and the Chiefs\u2019 running back couldn\u2019t make it to the surface, and the police later recovered their bodies.\u00a0\u201cHe made the ultimate sacrifice by placing the lives of three children above regard for his own safety,\u201d\u00a0<\/em>then-President Ronald Reagan honored Joe Delaney.\u00a0\u201cBy the supreme example of courage and compassion, this brilliantly gifted young man left a spiritual legacy for his fellow Americans.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u2019 brave legend. And just like that, even though the Kansas City team never officially retired Delaney\u2019s jersey, the number 37 remains untouched. But let\u2019s be real\u2014something is interesting about the young rookies and their desire to don iconic jerseys. Take Cam Ward and Abdul Carter, for instance.<\/p>\n

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Some wear legendary jersey numbers, while others get a lesson<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The 2025 NFL draft wrapped up, and the community started to speculate who\u2019s wearing what in their rookie season. And all eyes were on the draft\u2019s top picks. Colorado retired # 12 jersey for Travis Hunter. But get this, Hunter is set to rock his rookie season with number 12 shining on his back. To spice things up, his jersey number has already broken records in sales, becoming the top-selling rookie jersey.<\/p>\n

And yes, it surpasses the No. 1 pick Cam Ward\u2019s jersey as well. Speaking of which, Ward will don the No.1 jersey in his rookie season with the\u00a0Titans<\/strong>. And that\u2019s where it gets pretty interesting. See, the Titans have already retired #1 jersey in honor of Hall of Fame quarterback\u00a0Warren Moon<\/strong>. Moon wore it during his legendary career with the Houston Oilers. The kicker?<\/p>\n

Well, once the Titans picked Ward at 1st overall, Moon permitted the quarterback to wear that number. But if you\u2019re thinking it was that straightforward to get iconic jersey numbers for every player, think again. In fact, when it comes to Abdul Carter, the\u00a0Giants<\/strong>\u2018 edge rusher\u2026 well, he found himself in a unique situation when he desired to wear the number 56 jersey.<\/p>\n