It Is What It Is
NEED TO KNOW
Follow WEEI.com football writer Christopher Price at twitter.com/cpriceNFL. In addition, get the latest WEEI.com updates at twitter.com/WEEI.
A WEEI.com Patriots Blog
WEEI.com Blog Network
Heath Evans’ Super Bowl blog: Super Bowl with the Saints! 01.28.10 at 3:19 pm ET
By

heath_headshotInjured Saints fullback Heath Evans, a former Patriot, is WEEI.com’s guest blogger in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. While helping the NFC champions in their preparations for the Colts, Evans is sharing his thoughts about taking part in his second Super Bowl, two years after helping the Patriots reach the NFL’s ultimate game.

I find myself in a bittersweet time of my life. Super Bowl 44 (which has always been my number). My second Super Bowl in three years. But I am not preparing to face the Giants to cap off our undefeated season with the Patriots; instead I am on the sidelines of the Saints facility with a reconstructed ACL.

Like I said — bittersweet. Here, I have the opportunity for the ring that every NFL player wants, but I am not on the field to earn it. I’ve never thought of myself as emotional or selfish, but now I find myself having self-centered and crazy thoughts. Most players, when they go on injured reserve (which means they are done for the rest of the season, no matter what), are basically free from all team responsibilities and they go home to rehab and prepare for the next year. The Saints asked me to stay in town and to be a part of all the meetings, game plans and all the rest — everything but practice and games on the field.  Maybe being “out of sight and out of mind” would be a blessing.

Instead of doing too much self-pity, I’ve tried to focus on two things: putting on my coaching hat at the facility — imparting whatever wisdom I’ve gotten from my nine years in the league to what is a very young running backs room. Then outside of the facility, I am focusing on the Heath Evans Foundation (www.HeathEvans.Org). We have a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for the problem of childhood sexual abuse through our raffling of four Super Bowl tickets, $5,000 cash, and three nights at the Saints team hotel! Visit the site to get your chance to win — and keep an eye on this blog for all my thoughts and emotions as we prepare to make history for the Saints franchise and the great “Who Dat” Nation!

Read More: Heath Evans, Super Bowl, Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Mark Rome

    Sir,
    Maybe I can offer some perspective and a great big thank you. I am from New Orleans, born and raised and lived there all my life till Katirna. I got 8 feet of water and lost everythign. A month later, Sept 29, 2005, my 22 year old son, partying with his friends one more time before I moved him and his sister to Houston, overdosed and passed away. He had just graduated Loyola, on scholarship, worked at Sams 30 hours a week while in school. He was a great young man who made a terrible choice. My 33 year career in the military ended, was suppose to last till 2008 but because of Katrina the unit closed in 2006. I spent a year in hotels and trailers. I managed to keep going forward, head down, doing what was in front of me to do. I moved to Austin because New Orleans was too painful. I have since found some peace and am reasonably happy. My daughter is in New Orleans and I visit a few times a year. I love the city and may one day move back. It feels good to see the growth and rebuilding going on and I know it will continue. It is a special place.
    I had season tickets for 20 years or so and love the Saints. Whatever you have contributed to to success this year is appreciated more than you could know. I cried and yelled and hugged my friends when that kick went through the uprights. I still tear up when I watch it. The healing, the happiness, the excitement we have been given by the Saints is miraculous. I have no doubt your have made a huge contribution to the offense and I thank you. Life goes on, even when we don’t want it to, even when it is a struggle, it makes up better human beings. Enjoy the role you have been given, know you are a part of something rare and special. All of you connected to the organization have enabled millions of us to connect to each other and our heritage, to wake up with a grin and to be proud and grateful we are from New Orleans.

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colts-Will-Lose-2010-Super-Bowl/297481424318?ref=nf Winfred Shackett

    Go Saints! Become a fan of facebook page here: Colts Will Lose Super Bowl 2010!

  • Craig Martin

    Thanks for your transparency, Heath, it is refreshing. The “sideline struggle” must be a constant temptation to grow bitter. But your spirit in the midst of adversity can plant so many seeds in the hearts of the younger players: God will produce fruit when and where he wants in mysterious ways. That said – we can’t wait to see you back out there ASAP! There are plenty of Saints fans out here in rural Western Mass. And when they give you the ring, it is always because you earned it…

  • http://pacquiaoversusmarquez3live.blogspot.com pacquiao vs marquez

    There are certainly a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great level to convey up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up where a very powerful thing might be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around issues like that, but I’m positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both girls and boys feel the impact of just a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  • http://www.sportstvlivestreaming.com/pacquiao-vs-marquez-live-streaming/ pacquiao vs marquez live streaming

    I’d must verify with you here. Which is not something I normally do! I enjoy studying a put up that can make folks think. Also, thanks for allowing me to remark!

  • http://berith.pl AGD RTV

    Wooow man you are my master, i love your blog it’s the best on the world.

Latest on Twitter

2013 PATRIOTS DRAFT PICKS

2013 NFL DRAFT

Patriots Headlines
NFL Headlines
Tips & Feedback

Verify