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Falcons punter Michael Koenen remembers Saints' blocked punt from other side of history
By Alex Marvez -- Sporting News
One of the most unforgettable moments in Saints history will again be celebrated Monday when the Falcons visit for a Week 3 rematch of their now-mythical 2006 Monday Night Football matchup.
In that game (New Orleans' first at home since Hurricane Katrina the year prior), Saints safety Steve Gleason blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown: That play provided the spark for a Saints victory, and served as a symbol of the franchise’s return to New Orleans as well as the resiliency of the Gulf Coast area. It has been immortalized in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with a sculpture and plaque titled, “Rebirth.”
Little did Michael Koenen know at the time that he too would be forever remembered in Saints lore.
The former Falcons punter is the other player featured in the nine-foot statue, bronzed with his right leg extended as Gleason deflects the football. Koenen still has a vivid recollection of what happened, even a decade later.
“Gleason got through the middle untouched and I hurried,” Koenen told Sporting News in a telephone interview Friday. “I actually didn’t see him beforehand because I don’t pay that much attention to the rush. But the next thing I know he blocked it.
MORE -- Sporting News
Falcons punter Michael Koenen remembers Saints' blocked punt from other side of history
By Alex Marvez -- Sporting News
One of the most unforgettable moments in Saints history will again be celebrated Monday when the Falcons visit for a Week 3 rematch of their now-mythical 2006 Monday Night Football matchup.
In that game (New Orleans' first at home since Hurricane Katrina the year prior), Saints safety Steve Gleason blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown: That play provided the spark for a Saints victory, and served as a symbol of the franchise’s return to New Orleans as well as the resiliency of the Gulf Coast area. It has been immortalized in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with a sculpture and plaque titled, “Rebirth.”
Little did Michael Koenen know at the time that he too would be forever remembered in Saints lore.
The former Falcons punter is the other player featured in the nine-foot statue, bronzed with his right leg extended as Gleason deflects the football. Koenen still has a vivid recollection of what happened, even a decade later.
“Gleason got through the middle untouched and I hurried,” Koenen told Sporting News in a telephone interview Friday. “I actually didn’t see him beforehand because I don’t pay that much attention to the rush. But the next thing I know he blocked it.
MORE -- Sporting News