METAIRIE, La. - It was an emotional return to Louisiana for Texans rookie cornerback Treston Decoud.
Decoud grew up in nearby Covington under difficult circumstances.
That included his mother, Chandrika, battling and defeating breast cancer, his father dealing with legal issues in the past, heavy crime in his neighborhood, his academic problems and attending four different colleges.
On Thursday during a joint practice with the hometown New Orleans Saints, Decoud got to celebrate his status as an NFL player with his parents.
"This is one of the dreams, to actually play against the Saints or play with the Saints and your family could come see," said Decoud, a fifth-round draft pick from Oregon State who was profiled in a Chronicle feature Thursday.