Tracy Porter was recently named as one of two 2024 inductees into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. While Porter was a solid corner for New Orleans during his short time with the team, it was his 2009 postseason run that earned him his eventual Hall of Fame status.
In the two biggest games in Saints history, Porter had two of the biggest plays. He intercepted Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. The latter interception of Manning is our play of the day.
The Saints are 74 days away from the first game of the 2025 season against the Arizona Cardinals. Porter took his interception of Manning 74 yards to the end zone.
Tracy Porter seals Saints victory in Super Bowl 44
There were a lot of iconic plays during the Drew Brees-Sean Payton era, but the biggest play of them all doesn't include the offense. That honor goes to Tracy Porter.
Porter's interception, like many great plays, was a product of detailed preparation. The Colts ran this play on film countless times. Indianapolis was so fond of the play Porter reflected on the emphasis the Saints placed on that play. "One of the veterans, Pierson Prioleau, said we saw it so much that if one of our guys don't pick this off, we don't deserve to win," Porter relayed.
Clearly, the Saints deserved to win. Not only did Porter get an interception, he took it back for a touchdown. Porter ran the route for Reggie Wayne and was waiting for the ball when Manning threw it. Once the ball was in his hands, it was over.
Whether it was seeing the same route repeatedly on film or Prioleau emphasizing the point before the game, Porter was ready. The result was the most important play in Saints history. The interception put the game out reach with little time to play. Porter will be inducted in the Saints Hall of Fame this year, but he was immortalized 16 years ago.