In a world where NFL rookies often flash their new wealth on cars and flashy jewelry, New Orleans Saints rookie Kelvin Banks is rewriting the script. Instead of indulging in material luxuries, Banks chose to use his first NFL paycheck to buy his mother a home—a decision that has captured the hearts of Saints fans and beyond.
Banks’s gesture quickly became the talk of the Crescent City, aligning perfectly with the city’s resilient, hardworking ethos. “Family first” is a mantra that resonates deeply in New Orleans, and Banks’s humility and maturity have made him an instant fan favorite.
A Selfless Act That Speaks Volumes
Rather than splurging on himself, Banks made a life-changing investment in his family’s future. His mother, who had always struggled with rent and housing instability, is now the proud owner of a home—a reality Banks says means more than any luxury purchase ever could.
“Now my mom finally gets to sleep peacefully in her own home, without worrying about rent every month. That means more to me than any car or chain I could buy,” Banks said in an emotional interview. “She gave everything to raise me. This is my way of giving back.”
His decision has been hailed as a true reflection of his character—a rookie who’s already thinking beyond football. Saints fans, who have long cherished players with a deep sense of loyalty and pride, see Banks’s act as a perfect example of what it means to be part of this city.
A Story That’s Inspiring Saints Nation
While most rookies are making headlines for their flashy purchases, Banks is being celebrated for his focus on family and stability. This move has resonated deeply with Saints supporters, who admire his commitment to his roots and his understanding of what truly matters.
Banks’s contract includes millions in guaranteed money, but instead of focusing on the usual rookie extravagances, he made sure his mother no longer had to worry about housing. This thoughtful decision has painted him not just as a promising player, but as a leader with a heart of gold—one who values his family above all else.
A Rookie That’s Already Leading
For many, Banks’s actions have proven that he’s more than just a player chasing blocks and stats. He’s already showing the kind of leadership and humility that can shape a winning culture. It’s the kind of story that fans will carry with them through the season—reminding them that, beyond the touchdowns and tackles, what truly matters is the legacy we leave behind.
As Banks looks to make an impact on the field for the Saints, his off-field actions are already inspiring the team and the fans. This is a rookie who understands that true success isn’t measured by possessions but by the people we choose to uplift.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially won the Asante Samuel Jr. sweepstakes, and it became official on Wednesday. He even had his first practice session in an NFL game in over a calendar year. At this point, his goal is to just pick up this defense as fast as possible, so he can see as many snaps as possible in Week 11. He won’t need to play every down, but having that ability would be helpful. Kyle Dugger was able to do it right after being acquired via trade, so it’s not impossible for the newest Steeler.
In fact, Samuel might be even better than he was during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers. During his first interview in Pittsburgh, he revealed that he got surgery for an issue that he had dealt with since he was drafted in the first place.
“I was playing with [the shoulder issue] for my whole NFL career,” Samuel admitted. “It’s nothing new. I just had to get it fixed.”
Despite playing with in an injury his entire career, Samuel was still a bright spot for a Chargers defense that was constantly hurt and in disarray. He only had one season where he allowed a completion percentage higher than about 62%, and that was his final year in Los Angeles where he only played four games and allowed 12 completions on 18 attempts against him.
Later on, Samuel was asked if this is the best he has felt physically. He gave a very confident answer on that front.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” Samuel said. “I feel great. It’s the healthiest I have ever been, because I’ve been dealing with it, and now I got it fixed, so I feel great.”
If Samuel was playing with that shoulder issue throughout his entire career, and it’s finally gone, there is a real chance that the Steelers see a level of play out of him that not even the Chargers saw. Of course, this is just a one-year deal for Samuel, who is currently on the practice squad. He would need to first be called to the 53-man roster. Not only is he going to play well because of his improved health too, but also the fact that his career is on the line. He needs to show everyone that he can still play cornerback at a very high level, whether it’s for the Steelers or for any other potential suitors in free agency. Of course, him staying in Pittsburgh is the hope at this point.
When the Steelers acquired Dugger prior to Week 9, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was forced to tone down his normally complicated scheme and build the gameplan around being as simple as possible so the new guy could understand. The result of that was the best game that he and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin called all season long, and many players expressed their desires to make that the normal thing.
If the Steelers want to get Samuel into the fold as soon as possible, it’s fair to expect that Tomlin and Austin do the same thing for his team debut. They keep the calls simple, everyone plays fast, and it will be easier to stop Ja’Marr Chase and not let him rack up 16 catches again. If that is the case, Pittsburgh can get back on track with a division victory in Week 11 and avoid getting swept.