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Tracy Porter, Brett Maxie reflect on status as all-time Saints greats at Hall of Fame induction luncheon

"The Saints, the city, the fan base — they mean so much to us. You guys are like family to us"

The New Orleans Saints honored Tracy Porter and Brett Maxie as the newest members inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame during a luncheon held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Additionally, the late Ed Daniels was honored with the Joe Gemelli "Fleur de Lis" Award, and Steve Gleason received the inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award.
The New Orleans Saints honored Tracy Porter and Brett Maxie as the newest members inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame during a luncheon held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Additionally, the late Ed Daniels was honored with the Joe Gemelli "Fleur de Lis" Award, and Steve Gleason received the inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award.

Tracy Porter almost didn't attend the Saints Hall of Fame induction luncheon Friday, and he still was a bit conflicted as he spoke to the crowd gathered inside the room inside the Chateau Country Club.

His mind largely was on his wife, Devyn, and their newborn son, Sayden. Devyn had a difficult delivery and while she is home, Sayden still was in the hospital due to complications.

Porter, accompanied by two of his daughters, choked up at the thought of it during his speech.

"Honestly, I was on the fence about coming because of that," he said. "But my daughters, my wife — they said this is a huge honor. The Saints, the city, the fan base — they mean so much to us. You guys are like family to us. So that's why when I see you I don't mind taking pictures, signing autographs, having conversations.

"But it was a mental hurdle that I had to overcome. I haven't overcome it, but you guys have made that a little bit easier to deal with. So, for that, I want to say, 'Thank you.'"

The thank yous went both ways Friday. Porter, a Saints cornerback from 2008-11 who was an NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XLIV hero during the 2009 season, and safety Brett Maxie, a Saint from 1985-93 who was a member of the franchise's first winning season and first playoff appearance, received their Saints Hall of Fame jackets and saw the unveiling of their portraits at the enshrinement luncheon.

Journalist Ed Daniels also posthumously received the Joe Gemelli Fleur De Lis Award for his contributions to the organization (his wife, Robin Daniels, accepted the award), and safety Steve Gleason received the inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award.

Porter had seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 37 pass breakups and 227 tackles in 43 games, with 39 starts in New Orleans. He etched his name in franchise history with an interception against the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game to force overtime in a 31-28 victory, and a pick against the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV that he returned 74 yards for a touchdown in the 31-17 win.

Briefly after the Super Bowl victory, his hometown of Port Allen, La., became "Porter Allen."

"It had a ring to it," Porter said. "But everyone in my hometown, from the schools I grew up in, they have always had my back and I try to do my best to represent our city and make sure that when they say my hometown, they state it correctly — Port Allen."

Porter said he was overwhelmed with being inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.

"Words can't describe what that means and how excited I am that my hometown team, that I helped bring our first championship to, is recognizing me in this way and giving me these accolades," he said.

Maxie was an undrafted rookie who totaled 72 starts in 118 games and recorded 438 tackles, 15 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), three sacks and five fumble recoveries.

"(The Saints) found me somehow," said Maxie, who played collegiately at Texas Southern. "I don't know how they did it, but they were looking at film and they saw this guy just running around from sideline to sideline making tackles. After the draft, they asked me would I come to New Orleans and try to make their football team."

Daniels, a New Orleans native, began his broadcasting career in Lake Charles in 1980. He moved back to New Orleans to work at WDSU for nearly a decade before moving to WGNO in 1992. There, as the station's sports director, he engineered the creation of "Friday Night Football," the popular high school football highlights show. He covered the Saints until his death in 2024 was named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year three times.

Gleason, memorialized via a statue outside the Caesars Superdome depicting his blocked punt against the Falcons in 2006, when the Saints returned to the Superdome after being forced to evacuate by Hurricane Katrina, played in 83 games and excelled as a special teamer.

He was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and started his nonprofit, Team Gleason, which supports people living with ALS via technology, equipment and services. Team Gleason has helped raise more than $100 million to benefit those battling ALS.

The New Orleans Saints honored Tracy Porter and Brett Maxie as the newest members inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame during a luncheon held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Additionally, the late Ed Daniels was honored with the Joe Gemelli "Fleur de Lis" Award, and Steve Gleason received the inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award.

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