chuckedwards

My name is Chuck Edwards, and I have been the Field Announcer (pregame and halftime) for the Saints since 1997. I am also the Public Address Announcer for the VooDoo. I am in the midst of a moral crisis regarding my continued involvement with this organization, and I could use your guidance.

Before I get too deep into this, the thoughts and opinions in this post are mine and mine alone.
I want to make sure that no one currently employed by the New Orleans Saints organization is unfairly accused of putting words in my mouth.

I can speak for myself, thank you.

First, I want to say that everyone from New Orleans and the rest of the Coast are in my thoughts and prayers. I was born, raised, and currently reside in Gulfport, MS, and I share the same frustrations many of you are facing while simply trying to put your lives back together in the wake of Katrina. My house, like many others, is a technicolor nightmare of tarps and other materials, my neighborhood is filled with the sights (and smells) that only a major hurricane can deliver, and I am wading through mountains of paperwork from my insurance company, FEMA, SBA, and numerous creditors. We on the Coast are about a month ahead of New Orleans in our clean-up efforts. I can't tell you that it is a smooth or rapid process. I can tell you that it will slowly get better, so just try to hang in there as best you can.

I have been a Saints fan all of my 36 years, even before I became a gameday employee. I have enjoyed being a small part of this team, even if, during some games and some seasons, finding things to cheer about has been somewhat difficult. My heart sank when I first heard of the possibility of the Saints leaving New Orleans for good. I have spoken to some people in the organization within the past week. Quite frankly, they know about as much as the rest of us. I realize those employees who made the trip to San Antonio have to keep their opinions to themselves, since the Saints are their full-time job, and they can't afford to be job-hunting right now. Quitting the organization in protest is not really an option for most of them.

I, however, am not bound by such restrictions.

My full-time job is with a group of radio stations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I never took the Saints job for the money. I can make as much doing a radio remote for one hour as I can being on the sidelines for five hours (including the two hours prior to kickoff). I took the job simply because I love the NEW ORLEANS Saints.

Having said that, I am still unsure if I want to participate in the four games scheduled for Baton Rouge. Part of me wants to work the games out of support for the players and the fans, neither of whom have anything to do with moving the team. But another part of me doesn't want to work another game for this team, or any team, that is owned by a man who would treat his fans with such disregard. I understand business is business, but loyalty, integrity, and doing the right thing should still count for something... even if it means a lower profit margin.

Please, I need your opinion on this. I'm just a gameday employee. My contribution to this franchise is minimal at best, and this team will not collapse if I'm no longer a part of it. But, before I was an employee, I was a FAN. I don't want to feel like I'm selling you out. Because, no matter if this team stays or goes... I still have to look myself in the mirror when it is all over.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Chuck Edwards
Field Announcer
New Orleans Saints