Marques Colston, a true team player for the New Orleans Saints

Rapper T.I. once said “If it ain’t about the money, you can miss me with it.” That basically translates to all he cares about is money. Well, the complete opposite can be said about New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Coltson, who took a pay cut earlier this offseason to stay in the Big Easy and help his team’s salary cap situation.

Greed can take over when you’re making millions, and it does for many players in the NFL. However, all Colston wants to do is continue catching balls from future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

At this point in my career, it’s not necessarily about maximizing every penny of every contract,” Marques Colston told ESPN in a Tuesday interview. “I probably could have went somewhere else and maybe got a little more money, but the priority for me was to come back to an organization I really enjoy playing for. I enjoy coming to work everyday and being in this locker room. And it’s an organization that took a chance on me Day 1. That loyalty means something to me.”

The Saints selected Marques Colston with the 252nd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Since then, he has become the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Not to mention, he owns the NFL record for most catches in a player’s first two seasons with 168.

Somehow, Colston, nicknamed the “Quiet Storm” due to his professionalism, the way he handles himself out on the field, and of course, his underestimated abilities, has played nine years without making a Pro Bowl.

But that’s okay with the Hofstra product as long as he’s doing all he can to help his team win ballgames. Going into his tenth season, Marques Colston has gathered a staggering 666 receptions for 9,239 yards and 68 touchdowns. In my book, those are Hall-of-Fame numbers. But it is what it is.

He’s been a crucial piece to one of the greatest offenses to ever hit the league. Slowed by little nagging injuries over the past few years that come with age, Marques Colston’s performance has taken a bit of a tumble, but he knows the offense and still possesses a rare chemistry with Drew Brees.

He finished 2014 with 59 receptions and 902 yards, both his lowest since 2008. His five touchdowns a season ago tie for a career low. However, if he can stay healthy, he’ll have a prime opportunity to regain his stardom with TE Jimmy Graham and WR Kenny Stills now out of the picture.

The Who Dat Nation loves their number 12. His professionalism and achievements on and off the field have rendered him a fan favorite over the past ten years. Marques Colston IS the definition of a true team player for the New Orleans Saints.

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