Anthony Hargrove hopes his New Orleans Saints experience is the beginning of a new life
 

In Hollywood, Anthony Hargrove's story would have ended with the confetti raining down at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, as he and his New Orleans Saints teammates celebrated their Super Bowl victory.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove has had his troubles, but his experience with the Saints has turned his life around.
And what a remarkable story that would be -- the ultimate underdog, a recovering drug addict, returning from a one-year suspension to achieve the ultimate success.

But Hargrove, 27, hopes this past year was just the beginning of his renewal -- on and off the field.
"I'm still starving. I want more. I want this team to be great, and I want to be a part of something special here," Hargrove said of the football aspect of his life, where he should be better in his second year with the Saints.
Last season, Hargrove was an impressive role player for New Orleans, but he still was shaking off the rust from his year away from football, and he had to learn a new position after moving from defensive end to defensive tackle.
Hargrove now said he's able to play at a faster speed and recognize the opposing offense's formations and plays more quickly. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson said Hargrove's stronger against blockers and playing with more balance.

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Great read. Happy to hear he is doing well.

How can ya not like this guy? What a good story, an wouldn't it great if he could make the pro bowl this year? Wow, that would be then one hell of a story!

One of my favorite Saints..

Mine too.

I've read an article last year on him helping out a man in a Waltmart parking lot who lost his job and dint have money to pay for his bills was an inspiration and an eye opener. what a great guy. What a great human being over coming so much adversity in life. I wish him great a continual success in life.

Hargrove seems like he just had a zest for life and that included drugs. He must have come from a really bad environment where drugs were common place. I like his story and I'm proud to see him get the chance to help others. My guess is this year will be a good one for him.

His story is a great one, almost as good as the one about Michael Oher. I watched Hargrove's story on the Saint's SB Champions DVD. The parallels between both of these guys is amazing, they both overcame so much to get to where they are today. My hats off to both of these guys and I have great hopes for the continued sucess of both.

I hope he stays on the straight and narrow and achieves greatness on the football field. His life's story can be an inspiration to many if shown in the proper light. Hargrove is a great guy! and has overcome many things to get to this point. I wish him all the success that hard work and good decisions can afford.