Chris Olave could have lied and shielded his vulnerability.
But after producing his first 100-yard game of the season (five catches for 104 yards, including a career-long, 62-yard touchdown) in the New Orleans Saints' 17-7 victory over Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, the fourth-year receiver was nothing if not real.
Last year his season ended at Bank of America Stadium.
During a 23-22 loss to the Panthers on Nov. 3 in 2024, Olave suffered the fourth concussion of his NFL career, one that left him and his loved ones contemplating retirement — him, briefly. His loved ones much longer.
Sunday's return was not absent reflection.
"I had a great week of practice, I didn't really think about it too much," Olave said. "But when I came into the stadium, I just felt it all again. I had a lot of anxiety pregame. There's a lot of stuff going on; my close people know what was going on. They just stuck by my side and I appreciate them for all of that."
Olave helped loosen the Saints offense from a bit of stagnation in the second quarter with his 62-yard touchdown catch. Quarterback Tyler Shough spotted him in man-to-man coverage down the right sideline, and after a bit of hand fighting with cornerback Jaycee Horn, Olave caught the ball uncontested when Horn fell. Olave sprinted into the end zone to give New Orleans a 10-7 lead.
Several close acquaintances and his father, Raul, helped settle him before the game.
"Just talking to my people — my close people on the team, coach Dub (receivers coach Keith Williams), B. Cooks (receiver Brandin Cooks), A.K. (running back Alvin Kamara), they all helped me out," Olave said. "My pops was here, too, so I went over to talk to him pregame to try to loosen my mind up."
Olave continues to lead the Saints in receptions (60), receiving yards (664), and receiving and total touchdowns (four). He finished last year with 32 catches for 400 yards and a touchdown in eight games.
This year, he helped finish off Carolina with his best game.
"As soon as I stepped on the field, I felt it all over again," he said. "It was a tough situation from last year. It ended my season, so just coming back here for the first time and playing here again, I'm glad I had the performance I had. But I couldn't do it without my teammates and my coaches and everybody around me."
