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New Orleans Saints: Interview with Deuce McAllister About Trading Beads For A Cause

By Dean Mullen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 08: At an event to promote literacy on board the Carnival Triumph while it is docked at the Port of New Orleans, former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (riight) works with students from Kipp Central City Primary School. McAllister is teaching the students the importance of keepiing your mind and body active during a Junior Training Camp activity organized by the Saints on September 8, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 08: At an event to promote literacy on board the Carnival Triumph while it is docked at the Port of New Orleans, former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (riight) works with students from Kipp Central City Primary School. McAllister is teaching the students the importance of keepiing your mind and body active during a Junior Training Camp activity organized by the Saints on September 8, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images) /
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Who Dat Dish was fortunate enough to have legendary running Deuce McAllister on this morning. Deuce is once again helping out in the community with an event catered to Mardi Gras revelers. Here is the interview that breaks down the event.

Dean Mullen: Hey Deuce how you doing today?

Deuce McAlister: Good Mr. Dean How are you?

DM: Doing well myself. Welcome to Who Dat Dish. I’m one of the editors over here. Just wanted to ask you first how’s your 2017 going so far?

Deuce: Can’t complain it’s been a pretty good year so far.

DM: I know we have something special that you wanna talk about in a minute, but why is community service so important to you in New Orleans?

Deuce: For me it’s an opportunity for me to give back. Fans have given their hard money to see me perform, and I have the opportunity to give back. It’s really a thank you to the fans believing in me. Having this opportunity with Crown Royal is one that I couldn’t pass up.

DM: Is there anything in particular that that drew you to this opportunity with Crown Royal?

Deuce: It was an opportunity to help with the clean up efforts in New Orleans. Especially during the Mardi Gras season. A lot of the time time these beads just end up on the street. This was great to have Gambino’s Bakery involved to sort of trade beads for king cakes. The other part was partnering up with ARC who does great work with individuals that have intellectual disabilities. Now these beads will not only get traded for king cakes but the second part is, they can reuse these beads that will get recycled.

DM: Go ahead and tell me about the event that will feature you being on site Saturday on the corner of Canal and South Peters St.

Deuce: The event will be going on the whole weekend right there by Harrah’s Casino. Particularly on Saturday I will be there. I’ll be there from 4-6 where fans can come in and trade beads for king cakes and enjoy some entertainment.

DM: Can you explain a little bit what ARC does?

Deuce: This will give an opportunity for individuals that have a disability to recycle the beads and gain some independence. It’s just another piece of the puzzle so that they can recycle them and sell the beads to raise funds.

DM: Is there anything that we can do as a society to get rid of the stigma out there about individuals with disabilities and their potential?

Deuce: Education is critical and empowerment. Some of these individuals may not have the same skills as other people, but that doesn’t mean that those same people can’t achieve great things. They may not be able to do it as fast, but at the end of the day they just wanna be productive citizens. That’s all they want.

DM: Is there anyone out there in particular that you know personally that has inspired you, that has had obstacles like a disability that impacted you?

Deuce: Of course my former teammate Steve Gleason that has been battling ALS. The things that he’s done isn’t always easy. Sometimes it might be daily or hourly as far as challenges. But it’s all about living your life and staying active.

DM: Obviously Steve Gleason is an inspiration to the city of New Orleans including myself. The stuff that he’s done is incredible. Is it still amazing to you still to this day seeing him battle and continue to overcome obstacles on a daily basis?

Deuce: Obviously you see him as Steve Gleason in his wheelchair and  he sounds a little different than years ago. But after football he just wants to be a normal guy. He’s done such an incredible job raising Rivers and his wife Michelle going out and being there for him and supporting the cause. And it’s not about him. It’s about giving hope and opportunity for others. You have to be inspired by it. And he’s doing it in a positive way.

DM: Well I just wanna thank you Deuce for taking the time out to share this opportunity. I’ll definitely get the word out. We appreciate you coming on and more importantly the work you do in the community.

Deuce: Thank you as well…

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