I write this story as the New Orleans Saints prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday in Super Bowl 44. It’s a tale that’s less about what happened during the Dec. 24, 2006 meeting between the Saints and New York Giants than it is about what happened afterwards.
The Saints came into Giants Stadium on Christmas Eve in the thick of the playoff hunt. They were 9-5 and the Carolina Panthers were still fighting them for the NFC South title. New York, meanwhile, wasn’t exactly the toast of the NFC East just yet. Their 7-7 record left them closer to the bottom of the division than the top and they had just lost five of their last six. It wasn’t shaping up to be a title fight, and it didn’t end up being one.
New Orleans had its way with the Giants defense all afternoon, including a big day from then-rookie phenom Reggie Bush. The former USC running back took 20 handoffs for 126 yards and a touchdown. He also had a second score called back on a penalty. Thanks in part to Bush’s career day, the Saints routed the Giants, 30-7.
Later that night, the Associated Press had this to say about Bush: “The only thing (Bush) did wrong was bolt out of the locker room after the game without talking to the media.”
Not so.
After speaking with Saints head coach Sean Payton, I made my way into their locker room looking for Bush. He was the biggest name to come into the NFL that season and to score an interview with him would be huge for my radio show at the time. I didn’t spot him initially so I went and gathered quotes from wide receiver Marques Colston and running back Deuce McAllister instead. Just as I finished with McAllister, I saw Bush walking out the locker room doors with his bags.
Typically, guys of his caliber make a right out of the locker room to give a press conference. Instead, Bush went left and was clearly heading towards the team bus. I went after the reigning Heisman Trophy winner — I believe there may have been one other reporter with me, but no more than that. Despite a small crowd of kids trying to get an autograph, I was able to speak with Bush about his earlier performance, namely his scoring drive. (Listen to the short interview here)
“It was one of those drives that coach was feeding me the ball,” Bush said. “He felt like I had the hot hand and gave me the opportunity to make plays and I did it.”
After a follow-up question, I wished him a happy holiday, to which he told me the same.
Needless to say, I was ecstatic to get a near-exclusive interview with Bush. Back inside the locker room, I overheard several other reporters asking where Bush was. When a Saints P.R. representative told them he had left, there was definitely some anger. After all, NFL players are required to speak to the media following games.
What they didn’t know was he technically did. It just wasn’t in typical fashion.
After a conversation with quarterback Drew Brees, I headed back upstairs to the press box, where I packed up my things. It was time to head home for Christmas.