Saints happy to have Deuce in Miami

QBREES9 · 02-04-2010, 11:12 PM

MIAMI — As Deuce McAllister sauntered into a lounge inside the stadium that will host Sunday's Super Bowl, Saints running back Pierre Thomas caught sight of him and shouted “Doooooose!”

“He's done so much for New Orleans. He's done so much for this team, in the community, for the fans,” Thomas said.

“The coaches, they did a good job of bringing him back because he deserves it.”

McAllister won't be getting any carries against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he might get a ball.

“I really want to go out there and play for him,” said Thomas, the Saints' leading rusher this season. “My first touchdown, my first (game) ball is going to Deuce.”

McAllister, who has not played since last season, officially retired only days after being re-signed for a purely ceremonial role in the Saints' divisional-round playoff victory over Arizona.

He ended his playing days as the Saints' all-time leading rusher with 6,096 career yards. His 55 total touchdowns and 49 rushing TDs also are club records.

At 31, McAllister wasn't really ready to retire, but operations on each knee had slowed him.

After it became apparent that no team was going to give him a chance to play again, he got a call from the Saints. Head coach Sean Payton said he wanted to find a way to make McAllister a part of what seemed destined to be a special season.

With McAllister at practice and on the sideline during games, the Saints made their first Super Bowl run in franchise history.

“It's better than nothing and this is the closest that I'm getting as far as to be a player, be a part of it,” McAllister said.

“You've always seen this on TV and just to be this close to it, to be a part of it makes it special.”

1
2
3
NEXT PAGE

Saints happy to have Deuce in Miami | HoumaToday.com

02-04-2010, 11:12 PM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,989	Saints happy to have Deuce in Miami MIAMI — As Deuce McAllister sauntered into a lounge inside the stadium that will host Sunday's Super Bowl, Saints running back Pierre Thomas caught sight of him and shouted “Doooooose!” “He's done so much for New Orleans. He's done so much for this team, in the community, for the fans,” Thomas said. “The coaches, they did a good job of bringing him back because he deserves it.” McAllister won't be getting any carries against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he might get a ball. “I really want to go out there and play for him,” said Thomas, the Saints' leading rusher this season. “My first touchdown, my first (game) ball is going to Deuce.” McAllister, who has not played since last season, officially retired only days after being re-signed for a purely ceremonial role in the Saints' divisional-round playoff victory over Arizona. He ended his playing days as the Saints' all-time leading rusher with 6,096 career yards. His 55 total touchdowns and 49 rushing TDs also are club records. At 31, McAllister wasn't really ready to retire, but operations on each knee had slowed him. After it became apparent that no team was going to give him a chance to play again, he got a call from the Saints. Head coach Sean Payton said he wanted to find a way to make McAllister a part of what seemed destined to be a special season. With McAllister at practice and on the sideline during games, the Saints made their first Super Bowl run in franchise history. “It's better than nothing and this is the closest that I'm getting as far as to be a player, be a part of it,” McAllister said. “You've always seen this on TV and just to be this close to it, to be a part of it makes it special.” 1 2 3 NEXT PAGE Saints happy to have Deuce in Miami \| HoumaToday.com Attached Thumbnails
	www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman " Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph " Last edited by QBREES9; 02-05-2010 at 09:12 AM..