Michael Mauti experienced rapid weight loss last year that led him to undergo three surgeries aimed at curing his ulcerative colitis.
After spending months working his way back into football shape, gaining about two pounds per week for 10 straight weeks, Mauti worked out for the New Orleans Saints and earned a one-year contract with the team for which he was a special teams captain in 2016.
The Mandeville native said he felt better, physically and mentally, than he had in years while competing for a roster spot in training camp this year, but on Friday afternoon, he learned that he'd fallen short of his goal as the Saints released him as part of their roster cuts due by Saturday at 3 p.