Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
New Orleans, Jan 25, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Garrett Hartley made a wonderful comeback with the game of the New Orleans Saints against the Minnesota Vikings. Wonderful not only for him, but for the team too, and most of all for the coach of the team, Sean Payton, who had signed the player back with the Saints even after the embarrassing stimulant fiasco. Not to mention the legions of fans, who had been waiting to watch their hero prove himself once more. It was indeed a great thing for the player, who had been suspended for four games straight in the season following the drug incident, to score a 40-yard goal, the biggest in the history of the New Orleans Saints.

The goal also throws the spotlight on Garrett Hartley, and for the right reason, a welcome change from the negative publicity he had received in the aftermath of being detected using the banned stimulant. Undoubtedly, it would also act as a confidence booster for the kicker. Moreover, it was due to the very 40 yard goal by Garrett Hartley that the New Orleans Saints has managed to make their debut in the Super Bowl. The phenomenal goal sealed the fate of the Minnesota Vikings, who lost the game to the opponents by 31-28.

Garrett Hartley was clearly the hero on Sunday. Following the goal, the audience at the Louisiana Superdome exploded in cheers. The player disappeared among the teammates who rushed to congratulate him. Amidst the confetti that got thrown in the air, the coach, Sean Payton, commented that the game was a gift to the city. For all that the audience cared, the game was a gift from Garrett Hartley.