NATCHITOCHES – Two-sport Northwestern State legend Joe Delaney will be posthumously honored with the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award at the Dec. 18 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport.
 
Delaney's wife, Carolyn, will accept the honor just 20 miles west of their hometown of Haughton.
 
Delaney was a two-sport All-American and a national champion in the 4x100 meter relay at Northwestern State. He became a second-round 1981 NFL Draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.
 
A quick study, Delaney was the 1981 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection after rushing for 1,121 yards, a franchise record. Injuries and a players strike limited Delaney to 380 yards in his second and final NFL season.
 
Delaney's life was cut short June 29, 1983, when he attempted to save three drowning children at Chennault Park in Monroe despite not knowing how to swim himself.
 
Since his death, Delaney's legacy has remained strong in Natchitoches, Kansas City and Haughton.
 
In the past 18 months, a monument to Delaney's heroic act was erected at Chennault Park while a stretch of I-435 near the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, was renamed the Joe Delaney Memorial Highway
 
"Joe represents everything the Sportsman of the Year embodies. He was the best athlete I've ever seen and carried that to the highest level of his profession. Every time he touched the ball you knew it could be a highlight reel moment," said 2016 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Eric Barkley, a former NSU quarterback and Delaney's teammate in 1980.
 
"And Joe was an even better person, greatly loved and respected by his teammates. He was confident yet very humble and even in his final moments exhibited his giving spirit."
 
Delaney's No. 44 is one of six Northwestern State retired numbers and no Kansas City player has worn his Chiefs No. 37 since his death.
 
The Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award honors athletes from the Shreveport-Bossier City area who have brought the spotlight to the area. Included among the former winners are Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (2019) and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers Hal Sutton (1983), David Toms (1997) and Todd Walker (1998).
 
The 2021 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in Shreveport.