Former Football: Back in the Saddle – Brandon Stokley in the Big Easy

Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • November 22, 2010

Catching every pass thrown his way, the former Comeaux High and UL Ragin’ Cajun star had a season-best 6 receptions for 76 yards for the Seattle Seahawks.

It wasn’t enough for the visitors to prevent a 34-19 loss to the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, but it was gratifying to play well in an arena filled with memories.

"When I walked in here today, I definitely thought about the games I’ve had here," said Stokley, whose 37-yard touchdown catch beat Tulane in 1995 and who had 190 yards and three TD grabs in 1998 just days after his mother died.

"It definitely brings back good memories for me — the touchdown to beat Tulane, for sure, and the one after my mother passed away. They were definitely good memories."

The day began on a surreal note for Stokley, with UL’s Pride of Acadiana marching band on hand to provide the pregame and halftime entertainment.

"I walked in before the game, so see how my calf was doing, and the band was playing the (UL) fight song," Stokley said. "That definitely gave me some tingles. It was great to hear the fight song again."

Stokley is still trying to find his place with the Seattle offense after joining the club four weeks into the season.

"It’s been tough," he said. "I’ve never experienced that before, coming in without a training camp. But we have the same offensive coordinator here (Jeremy Bates) that we had in Denver, so I know the system.

"I just have to stay with it and keep working, and try to stay healthy."

Stokley missed last week’s game with a calf injury, but started feeling better during the week and was primed to get back to the field if at all possible in the Superdome.

"It felt better and better during the week, and felt fine the whole game," he said.

The Seahawks waited until the 2:51 mark of the second quarter to insert Stokley into his slot position, and he immediately caught passes of 12 and 8 yards to position Seattle at the New Orleans 3-yard line. Matt Hasselbeck then hit Ben Obomanu for a touchdown that drew the visitors within 21-13.

Stokley also caught passes of 14 and 18 yards on the next drive, getting out of bounds with the first and reaching the New Orleans 25 on a slant with :04 to go in the half, setting up Olindo Mare’s 43-yard field goal for a 27-16 halftime score.

Two fumbles ruined Seattle’s third-period possessions as the Saints began to pull away, but Stokley caught passes of 13 and 11 yards in the fourth _ the last on the final play of the game.

"We did some good things, and some bad things," Stokley said. "We had a chance to get touchdowns and settled for field goals, and that hurts you in the end."

Still, returning to Louisiana had its moments for one of the state’s best collegiate players and owner of two Super Bowl rings.

"I had to get 45 tickets for this game," Stokley said. "It was special for me to have so many friends and family members here. That’s what it’s all about. What I’ve done would not have been possible without their support and love."

Stokley’s wife Lana and their two sons are still living in Denver, his 2009 NFL address, and that too has been a challenge. But there’s something about the game that keeps you coming back.

"I want to play this game until I can’t play anymore, or they tell me it’s time to leave," he said. "I love to compete."