Tracy Porter

Saints hero who sealed Super Bowl XLIV with a pick-six.

Tracy O'Neil Porter (born August 11, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Porter is best known for being a crucial player during the Saints’ 2009 season, in which he intercepted Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game and then won Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts, sealing the game by famously intercepting Peyton Manning and returning it for a touchdown. Porter also played for the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Bears.

Quick Facts

Position: Cornerback
Born: 11 August 1986
Birthplace: Port Allen, Louisiana, U.S.
High school: Port Allen
College: Indiana (2004–2007)
Draft year: 2008
Draft round: 2
Draft pick: 40

Facts from the source article.

Background

Porter attended Port Allen High School, where he played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and cornerback. He earned first team All-District 3A honors in his first year of organized football as a junior and second-team as a senior after recording 93 tackles, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 14 pass breakups. He also returned two punts and two kickoffs each for touchdowns, averaging 47.0 yards per kick return and 28.0 per punt return.

In addition to football, Porter was also a starter at point guard for the basketball team and a sprinter on the track & field, where he posted a personal-best time of 10.4 seconds in the 100-meter dash. He played college football at Indiana University Bloomington for the Hoosiers from 2004 to 2007. During his senior year, he earned All-Big Ten Conference first-team. He finished his career second in Hoosiers history with 16 career interceptions and first in interception yards with 413.

He also became the first player in school history to return a punt, interception and fumble for touchdowns in his career. He finished his career with 212 tackles and 16 interceptions.