Goodbye, Joe Horn

It was announced yesterday that the Saints have released all time franchise receptions, receiving yards, and TD receptions leader Joe Horn. The 35 year old Horn was asked to take a pay cut and refused, and asked to be released. A fan favorite and always consistent receiver, Horn was one of the few holdovers from the 2000 NFC West Championship team on this year's Saints roster. Horn, who was also hampered by a severe groin injury this season, missed the last 4 regular season and both playoff games. This, plus the need to resign Marques Colston and the need for a starting cornerback on the free agent market led to this decision to let go one of the all time great Saints. Joe Horn is a LOCK for the Saints Hall of Fame, and I seriously think we will be seeing his jersey #87 retired hanging up at the top of the Superdome in the future. While I understand the reasoning behind Mickey Loomis's move, it still hurts to lose such a great person and great player, as well as a very important part of the New Orleans and gulf coast community. My all time favorite memory of Joe Horn was in 2003 when Jay Money and I were in New Orleans to watch the Kings and Hornets play. Being right after the "cell phone incident", the Hornets mascot did a spectacular dunk and then pulled a cell phone out from under the goal and gave it to Joe Horn in the crowd. We later saw Joe Horn at Harrah's Casino with Jerome Pathon playing roulette, and he seemed like a very personable, laid back guy. A year later, I met Joe Horn and had my picture taken with him (which will be added to this post soon). He also, in a sign of great irony, signed my cell phone "wood #87", for his nickname, Hollywood. Goodbye, Joe Horn, you'll always be a Saint. I truly look forward to the day Saints fans will once again stand and cheer for you again.