But once the preseason game against New England began last Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Delvin Breaux might as well have been a little boy looking outside the window, stuck inside as he watched his neighborhood buddies run and play and yell with glee.
He wanted to go out and play, was convinced that nothing would happen to him, knew he’d be fine because he felt strong and fast and as ready as he ever had been. But his parents – in this case, led by Saints Coach Sean Payton – wouldn’t let him.
So Breaux, a New Orleans native and former McDonogh 35 High star who was sidelined by an injury he sustained in the Saints’ preseason opener in Baltimore, helped as best he could, and bided his time.