It’s Time You Vote Saints’ Keenan Lewis into the Pro Bowl

Oct 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) and defensive end Brandon Deaderick (95) and cornerback Corey White (24) leave the field after the game. The Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Today has Who Dat Nation feeling really down following a heartbreaking overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and I can’t blame you. In fact, I’m right there with you. However, if you do nothing else on your Monday, be sure to cast your 2015 Pro Bowl Vote for New Orleans Saints cornerback, Keenan Lewis.

Grit, courage, perseverance, persistence, and willpower are just a select few words that come to mind from Lewis’ performance yesterday against the 49ers.

Lewis, a native of the Westbank, came up grabbing his left knee after an incomplete pass in the end zone during the second quarter. It was feared that Lewis was going to be gone for a long time, perhaps the season, after Lewis struggled to get to the sidelines, and was eventually carted off.

Lewis was ruled out of action for the rest of the game with a quad injury by the New Orleans Saints, but much to everyone’s surprise, he showed back up on the Saints’ sideline. Lewis would play mostly nickel and dime packages the rest of the way, and even managed some pass break ups.

If you think playing with pain is easy, then think again. As a former hockey player for 15 years, I can attest to the fact that there’s a certain point where adrenaline kicks in, and you simply fight through it and endure. You do it because your team needs you, and that’s exactly what Lewis did for the Saints.

It’s not the first time, and it will certainly not be the last, that we’ve witnessed Keenan Lewis’ determination to play. Last season in the playoffs, Lewis had his helmet taken away from him during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the NFL’s Concussion Protocol. Lewis wanted to get back into the game, and pleaded his case frantically with the sideline.

Here’s what Lewis had to say about the injury:

"“Even though I was in pain, I tell myself, ‘If I can walk, I can try to go.’ My team needed me, and I just gave what I could give,” said Lewis, who said it will be the same approach this coming week. “I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be hurting next week and I’ll be out there hopefully on one leg [again]. I’ll let the trainers evaluate me, we’ve got good trainers. And if I can walk, I’m going.”"

Lewis’ cover skills is the primary reason you’d vote him into the Pro Bowl, and he’s been nothing short of exceptional for the Saints since entering last season. His valor, however, is something that should help put him over the edge and into Phoenix on January 25, 2015. He has all the intangibles to merit your vote.

Again, go vote. You can do it as many times as you want until Monday, December 15th!