MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Louisiana native Tracy Porter played a crucial role in the New Orleans Saints' magical run to a Super Bowl title and their victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
A second-round draft pick who grew up in Port Allen, across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge, Porter watched the Saints every Sunday with his family and friends. He remembers bags on the heads of embarrassed fans during the franchise's lean years.
Now the Saints have done the previously unthinkable in large part because of him in a 31-17 victory Sunday.
Porter's 74-yard touchdown on an interception of a Peyton Manning pass gave the Saints an insurmountable two-touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter. In the NFC Championship Game, Porter's late interception against Brett Favre stalled the Minnesota Vikings' potential game-winning drive.
"It was great film study," Porter said of his interception Sunday. "We knew that on third-and-short they stack, and they like the outside release for the slant."
Porter was drafted by the Saints in 2008 and earned a starting cornerback spot in his rookie season. But that year was cut short by a broken wrist in the first half of the season.
This season, Porter went down in midseason with what was thought to be a season-ending knee injury at St. Louis. The next day, Porter -- and the Saints -- received good news. It was a severe sprain. His season wasn't over. He returned in Week 15 and played brilliantly in the playoffs.
Now, during Mardi Gras, his family, friends and Saints fans in New Orleans and all across the Gulf South have another reason to party.
"It means so much," Porter said. "Words can't describe how much this means for New Orleans."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
