Good Bye Scott Fujita
It is just a month after the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV and one of the most familiar faces on the team is a Saint no more. Linebacker Scott Fujita the first player to join head coach Sean Payton with the Saints in 2006 became the first player to depart the team’s Super Bowl Championship roster. Scott Fujita became the first loss of the 2010 free agency season when he signed a new three year contract to join the Cleveland Browns.
Fujita was a major piece to the Saints defense at outside linebacker and was one of my favorite players to photograph, below are a few of my more memorable photographs of Fujita while he was a member of the Saints. Best of luck in your new endeavors you will be missed by the Who Dat Nation.
Fujita a captain on the defense in the 2006 season was a very emotional player, the celebration (above) is one of my favorite images of Fujita in his four years with the Saints.
If you have seen any of the NFL films features of Super Bowl XLIV you saw and heard Fujita as he was a featured player in NFL Films Presents – Super Bowl XLIV. Fujita could be heard joking throughout the game with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, one of my favorite moments from the segment was when Fujita told Manning “I can eat Oreos faster than you.” Manning a spokesperson for Oreo cookies has made a series a hilarious commercials. Fujita also could be heard saying to Manning. “How about you throw us some.” Manning answered “Um Yeah.” Little did Manning know that he would throw one to Saints cornerback Tracey Porter and it would be returned for a touchdown in what will be considered as one of the Saints all-time best plays for years to come.
During the Super Bowl the Saints knew they had to get pressure on Manning although he is rarely sacked the Saints often got to him just as he threw the football and got some good hit on Manning that disrupted his rhythm, much like the photo featured below where Fujita barrels towards Manning for a hit as he throws.
Fujita played a big part in disrupting the passing games of Kurt Warner and Brett Farve in the NFC Divisional and Championship playoff games.
Fujita won’t only be missed on the field, but off the field as well, he played a major part in the community with charity donations and was a favorite with many fans. During the Saints Super Bowl victory parade some players including Fujita jumped off their float and mingled with fans on the street, a few exuberant young ladies with their faces painted black and gold hugged Fujita. It is sad this was Fujita’s last moment as a New Orleans Saints player.
