Authors Frank Murphy and Charnaie Gordon have large audiences in the children's literature communities. Gordon is an expert in diverse children's books and is the founder of Here Wee Read @hereweeread, which has a following of 350k+ on Instagram. Heroic Heart is a longtime passion project sharing the remarkable true story of former Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney, emphasizing his legacy of generosity, humility, and hard work, while also telling of his heroic, tragic final act. In 1983, while others stood by, Delaney dove into a pond trying to rescue three children who were drowning. One of the children survived, but Delaney, who was not a strong swimmer, lost his life in the process. President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Delaney the Presidential Citizens Medal for his ultimate sacrifice, calling the NFL player a "supreme example of courage and compassion." Each year the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL pay tribute to Delaney. The Chiefs recently renamed the highway leading to their stadium "Joe Delaney Memorial Highway" and they continue to participate in initiatives such as the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim program.
Delaney's surviving family and associated foundation are supportive of this project.