I’ve been very critical of the organization for not doing enough to recognize past players that have earned the respect of their peers and admiration of fans. The decision to have Deuce McAllister involved in Saturday’s playoff game is a classy move by the organization.
McAllister who played for the Saint from 2001 through 2008, was originally scheduled to serve as an honorary team captain to help pump up the crowd and team. Devensive tackle Rodney Leisle’s move to the injured reserve list Friday due to an injury, opened up a roster spot, and General Manager Mickey Loomis thought it’d be a good idea to sign McAllister to the roster to make him officially apart of the team.
During the special 2006 season, McAllister was a huge reason the Saints advanced to the NFC Championship game. In the Divisional game against Philadelphia, McAllister rushed for 143 yards and touchdown in a game many fans still talk about to this day. For the season that year, McAllister finished with 1,0057 yards, and was the last Saints rusher to go over 1,000 yards.
For his career, McAllister has rushed for 6,096 yards, the most by any Saints running back. He also holds the team records for total touchdowns with 55, and rushing touchdowns with 49.
The Saints drafted McAllister in the first round out of Ole Miss in 2001.
Despite numerous early reports that McAllister would play Saturday in the playoff game, the running back will not. Regardless the amount of phone calls to local shows, emails, and online activity, there’s clearly still a lot of love for McAllister from Saints fans.
There is no doubt the dome will be electric Saturday afternoon when the team is led out of the tunnel by number 26.
Related posts: