STORY
C NFESSIONS OF A FORMER
SPORTSCASTER I
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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > NOVEMBER 16 > 2010
and proceeded to wander around behind the TV to try to find n a city where people will take out second mortgages to pay her father. for their New Orleans Saints season tickets and schedule One of the other things you need to know about memberweddings, christenings and bar mitzvahs around regular ship in the sports media is that you spend an awful lot of time season games, I had a job that many New Orleanians might engaged in the bizarre ritual of the locker room interview. not view as a job at all. I did what plenty of people choose to Generally the place where people change their clothes is do when they are not working or when they should be worktheir most private sanctum. For us, it ing — watch and talk about sports. was a job site. For 10 years, I was a television sportscaster in New Orleans. During that TALES EVERY LOCKER ROOM HAS ITS OWN time, I covered everything from the vibe; every player adheres to difSuper Bowl to a cricket match in FROM THE ferent conventions. For instance, eastern New Orleans. But it’s not we all knew that after a game, the games I remember most vivid- LOCKER ROOM former Saints receiver Joe Horn ly — it’s the people. The players, would never take questions until coaches, fans and fellow media — AND THE he was completely dressed. members were more enterFair enough. Win or lose, Horn taining by far. ANCHOR was always forthright with One of the oddest things DESK. the media (except when he you experience as someone was engaged in one of his who makes a living on teleBY ADAM NORRIS periodic self-imposed gag vision is the looks from orders), so, in addition to strangers. Not the looks being a star player, he was from people who know always an in-demand interview. But Horn exactly who you are — those are obvious was also something of a clotheshorse and enough — but the ones from people who meticulous in his grooming. The image think you look familiar but have no idea still makes me chuckle: a dozen reportwhy. People have asked me if (a) we ers crowded around Horn’s locker as he, went to high school together, (b) I used in no particular hurry, donned one of to babysit their children or (c) I am his flamboyant suits complete with the weatherman. (No, no and no.) fedora and matching luggage, until, But my daughter was even more finally ready to proceed, he would perplexed when, at 2 years old, turn and nod. she recognized me on television
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