What player in the NFL, past or present, would you have wanted to see succeed so badly but due to injuries, off the field issues, or whatever happened just derailed their career? For me it was unfortunate to see players like Josh Gordon or Justin Blackmon have their careers end or never getting back on track because of off-field issues.

  • DasSmoosh@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Joe Delaney - Chiefs running back in the early 80’s. Ran for 1100 yards as a rookie, got hurt during the strike shortened 1982 season, then died while saving a kid from drowning before the 1983 season.

    • CornSkoldier@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Many of these are injuries that stopped a career shot and can be sad, but this one is next level :(

    • you_sick@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Delaney had a lifelong history of helping others[7] and once paid for the funeral of a former teacher whose family could not afford a proper service.[3] On June 29, 1983, Delaney, who was living in nearby Ruston,[15] went with friends to Critter’s Creek, an amusement center at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana. While reportedly discouraging swimming children from venturing too far out in a pond, Delaney dove in to save three children who were screaming for help, floundering in a water hole left by recent construction work.[3][7][14][15] The water hole, which covered two acres and was six feet deep,[3][16] was not intended for swimming but to add to the park’s aesthetics.[3][17] Despite his inability to swim,[18] Delaney nevertheless tried to rescue the children.[6][19] One child managed to get out of the water without harm and another was taken to an emergency room where he later died; police recovered the body of Delaney and the remaining child.[3][7][17] The amusement park has since been closed to the public.[3][7][15]

      This is the saddest shit I’ve read in a while. I’m so glad he saved one of those kids at the very least. What an absolute hero