Phonetic: /port·man·teau/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition
is a new word formed by blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two or more existing words
Brunch: Breakfast + Lunch
Motel: Motor + Hotel
Smog: Smoke + Fog
Spork: Spoon + Fork
Sitcom: Situation + Comedy
Podcast: iPod + Broadcast
Chillax: Chill + Relax
Webinar: Web + Seminar
Betty L. Duvall
January 24, 1939 – June 23, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 3pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Dean H. Massey
January 24, 1937 – June 21, 2026
Service: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Gabrielle Johnson Aziz
Sep 28, 1987 — Jun 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 3pm at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Carolyn Jenette Magee
July 6, 1941 — June 20, 2026
Service: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
Phillip Ray Semon
May 27, 1942 – June 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 11am at Kings Highway Christian Church, Shreveport.
Karen M. Bryant
May 19, 1969 – June 19, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Colquitt Baptist Church, Vivian.
Billie Jean Webster
August 18, 1934 – June 18, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 11am at Hurricane Bluff Church, Shreveport.
Emma Lee Flanagan Davis
May 15, 1940 — Jun 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Whites Temple Church of God In Christ, Shreveport.
Elizabeth “Beth” W. Robinson
March 10, 1959 — June 16, 2026
Service: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 6pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
William Washington Sr.
March 12, 1961 – June 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 3pm at Benevolent Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Thelma N. Harris
June 11, 1943 – June 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Zion Baptist Church – John H. Wilson Chapel, Shreveport.
Tony Britton
November 29, 1965 – June 15, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11am at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church, Shreveport.
John Brennan Hussey
May 29, 1934 – June 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Shreveport.
Harriet Nelson Williams
December 24, 1934 – June 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Morning Star Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Marcus Darrell Hays, Jr.
September 24, 2006 — June 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Elizabeth Baptist Church, Benton.
Virginia Ann Sims Russell
November 30, 1947 – June 14, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 3pm at Centuries Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Mary Venus “Lizzie” Brown
October 4, 1929 – June 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Joyce Marie Davis McKeever
April 13, 1943 – June 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Shiloh Baptist Church, Mooringsport.
Janice LaRue Horton
June 15, 1942 – June 12, 2026
Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 5pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Kathleen G. Mosley
March 9, 1946 – June 12, 2026
Service: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1pm at White Temple Church of God in Christ, Shreveport.
Glen Ross Salvaggio
October 17, 1948 – June 12, 2026
Service: Monday, July 6, 2026, 10:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Kenneth Smith
March 21, 1975 – June 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Saint Abraham Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Frederick Adolphus Collins
December 6, 1961 – June 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.
LaToya Collins
August 18, 1982 – June 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Roundgrove Cemetery, Shreveport.
Leo Jones
October 11, 1942 — June 10, 2026
Service: Thursday, July 2, 2026, 2am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Florence L. Vinson
February 27, 1938 – June 10, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Apostolic Miracle Temple, Shreveport.
Lee Otis Ceasar
January 15, 1965 – June 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Karris Verdell Hayes
September 6, 1969 – June 9, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 10:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Willie Lee Housley, III
March 25, 1966 – June 9, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 11am at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Loyce Mae Singer
December 22, 1943 – June 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 12pm at Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, Shreveport.
Gregory Q. Dawson
September 11, 1958 – June 7, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Benevolent Funeral Home, Shreveport.
William Gene Fann
January 15, 1943 — June 5, 2026
Service: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 2pm at The American Legion Post 14, Shreveport.
Ruthie Lee Moore
September 28, 1949 – May 11, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Rita Roberta Poling
? – May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bossier City.
A Shreveport man was charged with aggravated battery following a shooting that occurred during a verbal dispute at a residence in the 600 block of Sumpter Street, according to the Shreveport Police Department.
Detectives said Edward Hardebeck IV allegedly armed himself with a semi-automatic pistol and shot another man in the leg during the argument.
Investigators said the victim, fearing he would be shot again, returned fire and struck Hardebeck in the abdomen. Both men were transported to Ochsner LSU Health for treatment.
Following witness interviews and the execution of a search warrant, detectives determined Hardebeck was the aggressor in the incident. He was charged with one count of aggravated battery.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) Secretary Glenn Ledet joined state and local leaders on June 22 to cut the ribbon and celebrate the official completion of the $128 million I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project in Bossier and Caddo Parishes.
“The I-20 project is a testament to what we can accomplish when collaboration is at the forefront and everyone works toward a common goal, which is to deliver a large-scale investment that positively impacts the quality of life for thousands of citizens,” stated Governor Jeff Landry. “Executing such a vast infrastructure improvement also demonstrates government accountability, effective project management, and a commitment to delivering on our promises.”
The project, noted as being one of the largest investments in the I-20 corridor in many years, included a total rebuild of all the travel lanes and ramps at five interchanges from near Hamilton Road to LA 782-2 (Industrial Drive) in Bossier City.
“The I-20 major rehabilitation project was a transformational investment in one of the most vital transportation corridors in not only Louisiana, but also across the entire southern United States,“ remarked Sec. Ledet. “Meaningful advancements like this one help ensure reliability, safety, and resilience – all of which are essential to strengthening the larger transportation network.”
The original pavement and roadway base were all removed down to the dirt and fully reconstructed with all new material, the first project of its kind for this section of interstate since it was built in the 1960s.
“The rehabilitation of I-20 is an investment in the people and economy of northwest Louisiana. This project will strengthen one of the most important transportation corridors serving our communities,” stated State Senator Adam Bass (District 36). “For Senate District 36, reliable infrastructure means better access for families, more efficient movement of goods and services, and continued opportunities for economic growth across Bossier and Webster Parishes. I appreciate the partnership at every level that will deliver long-term improvements for our region.”
“I am very pleased that this reconstruction project has delivered major improvements to the turning lanes, travel lanes, shoulders, and access points along one of the most heavily traveled portions of I-20,” said State Sen. Sam Jenkins (District 39). “These upgrades will improve safety, traffic flow, and day-to-day driving conditions for the families, commuters, and businesses who rely on this corridor, and I’m grateful to the Louisiana Legislature and DOTD for making this critical work possible as we continue addressing long-overdue interstate needs.”
The project also included extensive concrete panel replacements across the Red River on sections of I-20 in Shreveport, drainage structure installation & improvements, new overhead signage & related components, updated street lighting, new barrier wall & headlight glare screens, and fresh roadway striping & reflectorized pavement markings.
“I, along with citizens of Bossier City-Parish, could not be happier for the completion of the I-20 rehab project. For so many years, former and current mayors and legislators have advocated and sought funding for this project,” added State Rep. Dodie Horton (District 9). “To see it completed is a dream come true for all who travel on this section of I-20 on a daily basis.”
“The completion of the I-20 rehabilitation project is a tremendous milestone for Bossier City and our entire region. This investment strengthens one of Louisiana’s most important transportation corridors, improving safety, mobility, and the overall driving experience for thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors who rely on it every day,” Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler said. “We appreciate the LA DOTD, our state leaders, contractors, and everyone involved in bringing this project to completion. Bossier City looks forward to the economic opportunities and continued growth that improved infrastructure helps make possible.”
Prior to the start of the project, which was awarded to JB James Construction, LLC, this 3.5 mile stretch of I-20 had been patched by DOTD maintenance crews, but had outlived its useful service life after 60 years.
This vital reconstruction work not only provides a smooth, pleasant commute for the 80,000-100,000 vehicles who travel it daily, but it also lays the foundation for continued economic development and the modernized connectivity expected of an interstate system in a busy metropolitan area.
“The I-20 rehabilitation project is an important investment in transportation, logistics, and public safety across our region. It reflects the commitment of Governor Landry and this Legislature to building a better Louisiana,” state State Rep. Steven Jackson (District 2). “I appreciate Secretary Ledet and DOTD for their continued work to improve one of the most heavily traveled corridors in northwest Louisiana, and I thank motorists and local businesses for their patience throughout construction.”
“For many years, the worst part of I-20 ran right through Bossier City, leaving a poor impression on our community and a beating on our vehicles. The recently completed rehabilitation has completely transformed the experience from one of regret to one of serenity,” said State Rep. Raymond Crews (District 8). “At long last, we can be proud of our city without being concerned about the approach to and through it. Thanks to the many people who made this possible.”
Work began in September 2023, with all major construction work such as concrete paving having been completed in late 2025 remaining on schedule through consistent communication between DOTD and the contractor. Final items, including permanent roadway striping and signage, were accomplished over the last several months.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, taking time to highlight the completion of such a critical investment in the interstate highway system – the lifeblood of transportation connectivity across the country – is a particularly substantial accomplishment.
“The I-20 major rehabilitation project represents a significant investment in Bossier City and in the people who live, work, and play here every day,” added Lisa Johnson, President/CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. “This upgrade improves more than just our city’s image; it strengthens our infrastructure, enhances connectivity, and reinforces that Bossier is open for business.”
DOTD would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the traveling public and Shreveport-Bossier City region for their ardent support and patience while construction was underway.
To read more about DOTD’s current and future work, visit www.dotd.la.gov. For travel conditions, be sure to visit www.511la.org or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app.
Updates on DOTD’s ongoing initiative Transforming Transportation with Transparency & Teamwork (T4LA) to better serve the citizens and visitors of Louisiana can be found at www.t4la.com.
Northwestern State University students Thomas Perryman and Nickolas Robinson are helping incoming students make the transition to college as Freshman Connectors, serving as mentors and guides during the university’s Freshman Connection orientation program.
Perryman, a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School, and Robinson, a graduate of Southwood High School, are among the student leaders who work with small groups of incoming students, introducing them to campus resources, student involvement opportunities and academic advising while helping them navigate the transition from high school to college.
“I know some people just need that push because some people are introverted like me, and I know it’s kind of hard to push them out of that shell,” Robinson said. “I want to be that light and help bring them out. For my people who are coming down from my hometown, be ready for this big ball of energy coming at you.”
Perryman encouraged prospective students from the Shreveport area to embrace the unique culture at Northwestern State.
“One of the biggest things I can leave with people considering NSU from Shreveport is to really embrace what we have here,” Perryman said. “It’s unique. It’s not like any other college in the state or even out of state. We have a family culture, and embracing that really makes your college experience even better.”
During Freshman Connection, incoming students are placed in groups of approximately 25 to 30 students led by current Northwestern State students who provide guidance and support while sharing information about campus life and university resources. Students also have opportunities to connect with future classmates, become familiar with campus and meet with academic advisors to register for fall classes.
“I hope students leave Freshman Connection feeling excited and confident about the new home they’ve chosen at Northwestern State University,” said Mary-Katherine Maggio, director of First Year Experience and Student Engagement. “My goal is for the program to introduce them to the many opportunities NSU has to offer while helping them build meaningful connections and find a sense of community.”
Northwestern State hosted its third Freshman Connection session June 17. Additional Freshman Connection programs are scheduled for June 25 at the university’s Shreveport campus and July 9 in Natchitoches.
Michael Faraday was born in 1791 just outside London, England. Michael’s father, a blacksmith who was often too ill to work steadily, could hardly afford to feed himself, his wife, and Michael and his three siblings. He could certainly not afford to send his children to school. Up until he was a teenager, Michael could only perform rudimentary reading, writing, and math, basic skills he learned at his church’s Sunday school. When Michael was 14, his father arranged a seven-year apprenticeship for him under George Riebau, a bookbinder. One of the perks of the job was that George allowed Michael to read any of the books they worked on. Michael read books on a variety of subjects but became passionate about science. Michael’s desire to learn impressed George as well as his customers. One customer gave Michael tickets to attend four lectures by Humphry Davy, professor of chemistry at the Royal Institution. Michael took copious notes and bound them in book form. When Michael’s apprenticeship with the bookbinder ended, 22-year-old Michael asked Humphry for a job and provided his bound notes. Humphry was taken aback by Michael’s interest, understanding, and determination, and hired Michael to be his assistant at the Royal Institute. For the next 18 months, Michael accompanied Humphry on a tour of scientific institutions in Europe where he met noted scientists including André-Marie Ampère (for whom the ampere or amp is named) and Alessandro Volta (for whom the volt is named).
In 1820, Michael had mastered chemistry to the point that he was developing his own theoretical views and ways to test his theories. When Humphry retired, Michael replaced him as professor of chemistry at the Royal Institute. While a professor, Michael became the first chemist to liquefy a “permanent” gas, one which the scientific community believed was incapable of liquification. He discovered benzene, a colorless and highly flammable gas with a sweet smell which is partially responsible for the odor of gasoline. His experiments with chemistry combined with electricity transformed electricity from a curiosity to a useful technology and led to him being called the father of electrochemistry and electromagnetism. Among his many inventions were the electric motor, the electric generator, electric transformers, and a container for holding hydrogen.
In 1824, Michael was performing experiments with hydrogen to understand its properties. He experimented with several different containers to determine the best vessel for holding hydrogen. In one experiment, Michael cut out two pieces of raw, tacky rubber into circles, rubbed flour on the center of the two pieces to prevent it from sticking, and pressed the edges of the rubber together. The edges of the raw rubber sealed to itself automatically. The scientific community was so enthralled with Michael’s new container that in the following year, 1825, rubber manufacturer Thomas Hancock began producing do-it-yourself rubber hydrogen container kits for scientists. Rubber manufacturers eventually mass-produced and marketed these containers to the public. Each of us has probably owned a modernized version of Michael’s hydrogen container. Rather than hydrogen, we fill ours with helium. In that chemistry lab, Michael Faraday invented what we now know as the toy rubber balloon. Can you imagine a world without Michael Faraday’s hydrogen containers?
Sources:
1. “The Genius of Michael Faraday,” American Association fo rthte Advancement of Science, September 11, 2012, accessed June 14, 2026, https://www.aaas.org/
2. “Balloons,” Science World, accessed June 14, 2026, https://www.scienceworld.ca/
3. Dmitriy Vaysman, “A Brief History of Party Balloons,” Balloon Lab, January 24, 2024, accessed June 14, 2026, https://balloonlabusa.com/a-
Looking down the Hall with appreciation, and an eye for the future
We’re celebrating Louisiana sports this weekend with the annual Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame festivities starting Thursday that culminate with the televised induction ceremony on Louisiana Public Broadcasting Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center.
I look forward to attending each year, and one of the things we either take for granted or forget is just how blessed we are to have so many terrific athletes, coaches and administrators and sports writers and broadcasters who have graced our state with their talents and their passion for excellence.
In this piece, I want to gush a bit about the proliferation of talented quarterbacks who have either hailed from Louisiana or emigrated from elsewhere to shine in the sport in the Bayou State.
There are 14 quarterbacks in the LSHOF who have the distinction of being members in at least one of five national Halls of Fame.
There are four in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Terry Bradshaw, Peyton Manning, Y.A. Tittle and, most recently elected in the Class of 2026 to be inducted at Canton in August, Drew Brees.
There are seven others in the College Football Hall of Fame: Bert Jones, Chris Cagle, Doc Fenton, Lester Lautenschlager, Archie Manning, Abe Mickal and Doug Williams. James “Shack” Harris joins fellow Grambling grad Doug Williams among the state’s elite quarterbacks in the Black College Hall of Fame.
Matt Dunigan is a Louisiana-bred quarterback in the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, and Joe Ferguson, a sensational prep quarterback at Shreveport’s Woodlawn before shining in college at Arkansas and in the NFL for three teams in 17 seasons (12 with the Buffalo Bills), is a member of the National High School Hall of Fame.
Data was culled from Pro Football Reference to figure out which states have over- or underperformed based on the expected number of NFL quarterbacks produced. An in-depth analytics study by ESPN, tracking where the best quarterbacks come from relative to state population, ranked Louisiana first in the nation with a score of 450.5, easily beating out second-place New York (315.4) and third-place Indiana (172.2).
Consider, too, we’ve got famous quarterbacks in the state’s shrine who have not been voted into a national Hall of Fame like Eli Manning, Stan Humphries, Jake Delhomme and Bobby Hebert. Steve Foley and Richie Petitbon were both star quarterbacks for Tulane, but they earned their stripes as Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers more for their sensational play as defensive backs in the NFL; Foley, with Denver and Petitbon with Chicago.
Eli Manning has been a modern-era finalist for the Pro Football Hall the last two years, and at first blush it’s astonishing that as a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP, he has not been a shoo-in.
Only one other retired NFL quarterback who led his team to two Super Bowl victories has not been elected to the Pro Football shrine – Jim Plunkett, who is now 77 and not likely to get elected. Plunkett led Oakland to triumphs in Super Bowls XV and XVIII. He is a former Super Bowl MVP and winner of Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year honors, yet he was on only four winning teams as a starter, and he had more interceptions (198) than touchdowns (164).
Eli is No. 11 in the NFL in both all-time passing yards (57,023) and passing touchdowns (366), but the rap against him is his career record as a starter is 117-117, he never was a first-team All-Pro and he led the NFL in interceptions three times (2007, ’10 and ’13).
Nonetheless, I think the good outweighs the bad in his case.
Throughout his 16-year (2004-19) career — all spent with the Giants — he achieved numerous franchise records and milestones, including 236 regular-season games played, setting a Giants franchise record, and 210 consecutive starts, which was the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history at the time.
Looking down the line, there are a few more guys who are future candidates for the LSHOF and probably at least a College Hall of Fame: LSU’s two most recent Heisman Trophy winners, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels; and sensational Mississippi State quarterback and former NFL Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott, homegrown in Haughton.
By DAN McDONALD, Written for the LSWA
It’s been a good few months for Jonathan Lucroy.
Last August, the former Major League Baseball All-Star got the phone call from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, letting him know that he would be honored with the state’s highest athletic accolade this summer.
That happens Saturday in Natchitoches, culminating three days of festivities with Lucroy and the Class of 2026. For participation information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
Less than two months ago, he was back at UL’s M. L. “Tigue” Moore Field, where the ex-Ragin’ Cajun standout catcher received that program’s greatest honor with the retiring of his No. 21 jersey, putting him in elite company from his days as a collegian.
During that same time frame, he was selected as the catcher on yet another Milwaukee Brewers All-time Team, honoring the top player at each position for the nearly 60-year-old franchise. Legendary Brewers announcer and former major league catcher Bob Uecker had christened him with that honor long ago.
And this past spring, the hugely young high school baseball team he coaches at Grapevine Faith Christian School near Dallas had a surprisingly successful .500 season.
“Only two returning varsity players,” Lucroy said. “We will be good next year.”
That isn’t a surprise to anyone who knows the Eustis, Fla., native, since his passion for baseball is rivaled only by his drive to succeed at whatever level the game takes him.
All in all, an excellent few months. But still not as good as his summer of 2014, when he was the best catcher in baseball. That claim isn’t hyperbole … the numbers back it up in a big way.
That season, his fourth in the major leagues, Lucroy finished fourth in the voting for National League Most Valuable Player, the first catcher in Brewers history to finish in the MVP top 10 voting. A guy named Clayton Kershaw won the NL MVP that year, and no other catcher finished in the top five in the voting in either league. He led the NL in doubles that year with 53, becoming the first catcher in MLB history to lead his league in that category and breaking the mark of 47 set by Texas’ Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez in 1996 – and no catcher has come within 15 of Lucroy’s tally since that 2014 season.
He was the Brewers’ MVP that year along with earning the club’s “Good Guy Award” for the second straight season, and was runner-up for the Gold Glove Award. He started the All-Star Game behind the plate for the NL – the first of two times he’d earn that distinction – and proceeded to go 2-for-2 with (naturally) two RBI doubles off Jon Lester and Chris Sale.
That year he helped lead a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight with World War II, Korean War and terminally ill veterans flying to Washington, D.C., to visit the city’s memorials. He also was a personal guest of Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson at President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.
Now that was a good year.
“I had the great privilege of managing Jonathan for five years at Milwaukee,” said Ron Roenicke, who took over as Brewers manager in Lucroy’s first full year with the club in 2011. “He’s a great man of character, a hard worker and was a great teammate. And he could really hit … he could hit the other way, he could pull the ball and he could hit with power. That record, 53 doubles for a catcher, that speaks for itself.”
“To play on a high level in college, and then to do what he did in pro ball, it takes the physical talent,” said Anthony Babineaux, UL’s assistant coach under Hall of Famer Tony Robichaux during Lucroy’s collegiate career. “But it’s more than just the talent. It’s a lot of intangibles, it’s the type of leader that he was and the type of teammate that he was, and it’s the extra things he did off the field and on the field.”
It wasn’t a perfect path to college stardom or to a third-round MLB Draft selection. In fact, Lucroy didn’t have many scholarship offers out of Umatilla High School, and only happened to catch the eye of a Cajun assistant coach who was recruiting a pitching teammate. And in his freshman season, Lucroy played only part-time at catcher behind senior veterans Justin Morgan and Adam Massiatte. He only caught six games, with most of his first season spent as designated hitter.
“There were a lot of upperclassmen on that 2005 team and it was a very good team with older guys that were the voice of the team,” Babineaux said. “Luc respected all those guys, but he also earned their respect in a hurry with what he was able to do on the field and how he handled his business.”
Lucroy wound up hitting .373 with five homers and 48 RBI that year in earning Freshman All-America honors as DH, and went on to set UL records for RBI (184), doubles (54) and total bases (414) in a career while hitting 35 homers, batting .356 and slugging at a .612 clip. He was a two-time All-Sun Belt pick in a league that had several talented catchers, and helped lead the Cajuns to two league titles and the 2007 NCAA Regional finals.
“He always had the hitting,” said two-year Cajun teammate and long-time friend Blaine LaFleur. “He quickly made us all realize how good a hitter he was. I don’t think any of us could compete with him hitting. But what made him special was that he was just relentless to the cause, you couldn’t stop him.”
Hitting almost came naturally. The intricacies of catching every day, and being his UL team’s defensive leader, took a lot more work.
“His catching skills were good, but honestly they weren’t where they needed to be as an everyday catcher for us,” Babineaux said. “Those obviously very much improved as he went on, and that’s because he absolutely worked on it every day. Nobody worked harder than he did to make himself a great defensive player — his receiving, blocking, throwing out base runners, stealing pitches – and that continued in his three years in the minors and after he got to the Brewers.”
Lucroy moved from Low-A to the majors in just two seasons, in large part because of his defensive improvement. One metric ranked him as the major league’s best in “stealing pitches” – receiving and framing pitches in a way that influenced plate umpires’ called strikes – for two seasons.
“Jonathan took a lot of pride in his defense,” Roenicke said. “Even though he was a great hitter, that was really important to him. I think catcher is the hardest position there is to play in baseball, and Luc worked really hard to make sure he was a good defensive catcher. I know the pitchers appreciated what he did.”
Another key to his later success was learning to call pitches during his college career, a talent that is rapidly vanishing with the advent of coach-to-player communication technology.
“Coach Robe did a lot of the pitch calls,” Babineaux said. “But I know during Jonathan’s career he sort of turned that over to him. Robe really liked his catchers calling pitches, and he knew they had to learn to do that if they were fortunate enough to advance in the pro ranks. He was able to retain that knowledge that Coach Robe gave him on how to set up hitters, and it was a show of respect that our pitchers knew the fingers that Luc put down was the right pitch to throw at the right time.”
Lucroy was the face of the Brewers franchise in his final two years there before spending two years with the Texas Rangers, helping that team win the AL West in 2016. Injuries and the COVID-shortened pandemic season in 2020 hampered the latter part of his career, but he was still valuable enough to clubs seeking veteran catching presence and needing help with pitching staffs to spend time with seven other MLB teams before he retired in 2021 after 12 big-league seasons.
His final stop was in Atlanta during that 2021 season when the Braves won the World Series. Although he did not see action during that postseason run, Lucroy was respected enough to be invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2 of the 2021 National League Divisional Series when the Braves played his longtime Brewers club.
Even with all those collegiate and professional honors, Lucroy said his proudest and most memorable moments in baseball came from his two appearances for Team USA in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics. He still proudly displays the gold medal he helped Team USA capture in 2017.
“There’s something about wearing that USA jersey,” he said. “Coach Robe always told us that the name on the front of the jersey meant more than the name on the back, and I thought about that every time I looked down and saw ‘USA’ on my jersey during the World Baseball Classics.”
While defense was the key to his longevity, it was the bat that remained the most memorable part of his game. His .356 batting and .612 slugging marks in college, a .325 mark in summer collegiate baseball and a career .274 batting and .416 slugging mark along with 1,134 major league hits are a testament to that.
“Even in his freshman year, you knew he could hit,” Babineaux said. “There’s a lot of guys that hit home runs, and then there’s some that get so much lift on their ball when they swing the bat. Jonathan was one of those guys. His fly balls were just some of the highest I’ve ever seen, the ball would just lift when it left his bat. You know the power was there, and you had a good idea that the catching would advance to a high level, and once those two matched up it was just a matter of time before he made it to the big leagues.”
Roenicke well remembers one of his 108 career home runs.
“We were facing Cincinnati and Aroldis Chapman had just come up as their closer,” he said. “We were in a tie game and Chapman came in, he was throwing 100 plus miles an hour before everyone started throwing 100, he was the hardest thrower we’d seen. Luc saw 11 pitches between 100 and 102 and he kept fouling off balls until he got to a 3-2 count and Chapman tried to throw him a slider on the 12th pitch and Luc hit a homer to win the game for us. That’s the kind of hitter Luc was.”
While 30 years have passed, Mannings’ summer tradition has only blossomed
JOURNAL SPORTS
Remember when Archie was the best-known Manning?
It was 1996, when the former New Orleans Saints quarterback’s oldest son (Cooper) had just graduated from Ole Miss, his middle son (Peyton) was emerging as one of college football’s top quarterbacks at Tennessee, and his youngest boy, Eli, was a sophomore at Isadore Newman School in New Orleans.
Dad thought holding a camp to develop high school quarterbacks would be a good idea, and got together with some friends. The Manning Passing Academy was launched, and 185 boys showed up on the Tulane campus to hone their skills.
This weekend, 1,400 high school passers, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers will converge on Thibodaux and the campus at Nicholls State for the 30th MPA. Archie’s idea has grown into one of the nation’s premier instructional football camps while remaining true to its original mission: making the game more enjoyable for young athletes.
“Archie Manning and his family have created far more than a football camp; they’ve built one of the most impactful developmental experiences in the game,” said National Football Foundation President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Manning Passing Academy combines elite instruction from many of the nation’s top college players with leadership development and life lessons, helping young athletes grow both on and off the field. It’s a truly special experience and a powerful example of football at its very best.”
Each summer, many of college football’s top players arrive to serve as camp counselors, mentoring the next generation while sharpening their own leadership skills. The academy has become an annual gathering place for many of the game’s brightest stars, creating a unique environment where high school athletes can learn directly from some of college football’s elite performers.
That group includes Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow, Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young and two from LSU – Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels. It was at the 2019 MPA that Burrow infamously told media he believed the Tigers had what it took to win the national championship, and they did half-a-year later, undefeated.
Among other top college players who became NFL stars after they served as counselors: Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes.
This year’s counselor roster will once again feature an impressive collection of standout signal-callers from across the country, including CJ Carr (Notre Dame), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), Noah Fifita (Arizona), John Mateer (Oklahoma), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Gunner Stockton (Georgia), Conner Weigman (Houston), and naturally, Arch Manning of Texas.
Archie, his sons, and former Tulane recruiting coordinator and current Oregon administrator Jeff Hawkins have continued to be the driving force behind the camp’s success since its inception, along with the late Buddy Teevins, head coach at Tulane in the 1990s. The camp moved to Hammond and Southeastern Louisiana briefly, then settled in 2005 at Nicholls State.
The Mannings are famously the first to arrive and the last to leave, underscoring their unwavering commitment to every camper. The idea for the academy grew from a concern that many young athletes were not developing the fundamental skills of throwing and catching during their formative high school years. Thirty years later, that mission remains at the heart of the camp with more than 30,000 all-time attendees and counting.
“What keeps us going after all these years is the chance to give back to the game that’s given so much to our family,” said the elder Manning, who serves as the camp’s executive director and as chairman of the National Football Foundation. “We’re not trying to create superstars; we’re trying to help young players love the game more, lead better, and grow as teammates. That’s the heart of the Manning Passing Academy.”
Rodney Ray Roberts of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 92.
He was born on June 27, 1933 in Big Spring, Texas, the son of Mary Merrick and Glendon Roberts.
Rodney grew up in Big Spring and graduated from Forsan High School. He was a Boy Scout in his youth which gave him an oath by which he lived his life: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.” He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era as a Staff Sergeant and crew chief on the B-47 Stratojet, assigned to the 443rd Bombardment Squadron of the 320th Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command.
Upon returning to civilian life, Rodney served as plant manager at Cactus Paint in Big Spring for many years. He later founded and operated his own successful oil field supply company, Robsco Supply Co., Inc. He was also actively involved in his community, proudly serving as president of the Optimist Club in Big Spring. He continued his life of service by becoming a paramedic and volunteer fireman, a path that later inspired him to become a registered nurse and go to work for the VA Medical Center in Big Spring. In 1997 he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana and continued his nursing career at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center as an oncology nurse. He retired in 2005 after working 20 years as a nurse, providing compassionate care for fellow veterans.
Rodney loved building things and working with his hands. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his wit, his kindness, and his compassion.
He married Gloria Vega on July 15, 1996 and they shared 29 years of love, laughter, and adventures.
Rodney is survived by his wife Gloria Roberts; his children Randall Ray Roberts (Michelle) of Cibolo, TX and Roni Raquel Roberts Burks (Ryan) of Bossier City, LA.; his grandson Spencer Roberts (Brittany) of Big Spring, TX; Kaylynn Hidalgo (Levi) of New Braunfels, TX; Colton Barham of Austin, TX; Maci Burks of Bossier City, LA; his great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Norma Baker, her husband Robert Baker, and his first wife, Judy Beene.
A celebration of Rodney’s life will be held at a later date in Big Spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rodney’s honor may be made to any organization that provides support to veterans.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Spring.
Jimmie “BooMan” Ford was born May 31, 1949, in Gilliam, Louisiana to Roosevelt Ford and Ethel Ford.
With great sadness Jimmie gained his wings on June 19, 2026.
Jimmie was the youngest of seven children. He loved working as a farmer as long as he could. When not farming he was fishing or at the horse track watching the horses.
Preceding him in death are his parents, a sister, five brothers, a son, and a daughter. Left to cherish precious memories are wife, Barbard Ford; brother, Roosevelt Ford; son, Jimmy Ford; daughters, Christina Ford and Maxine Jackson; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jimmie you will be greatly missed. Your legacy will live on for many generations.
P
Phonetic: /tau·tol·o·gy/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition
needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
Rhetorical repetition, tautology (‘always and for ever’), banal metaphor, and short paragraphs are part of the jargon.
—Philip Howard
an instance of such repetition
The phrase “a beginner who has just started” is a tautology.
Emma Lee Flanagan Davis
May 15, 1940 — Jun 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1pm at Whites Temple Church of God In Christ, Shreveport.
Tony Britton
November 29, 1965 – June 15, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11am at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church, Shreveport.
John Brennan Hussey
May 29, 1934 – June 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Shreveport.
Marcus Darrell Hays, Jr.
September 24, 2006 — June 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Elizabeth Baptist Church, Benton.
Virginia Ann Sims Russell
November 30, 1947 – June 14, 2026
Service: Friday, June 26, 2026, 3pm at Centuries Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Mary Venus “Lizzie” Brown
October 4, 1929 – June 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11am at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Janice LaRue Horton
June 15, 1942 – June 12, 2026
Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 5pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
William Gene Fann
January 15, 1943 — June 5, 2026
Service: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 2pm at The American Legion Post 14, Shreveport.
Ruthie Lee Moore
September 28, 1949 – May 11, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Rita Roberta Poling
? – May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bossier City.
Police Jury Refers Woodlake South Golf Cart Proposal Back to HOA for Community Vote
The Bossier Parish Police Jury voted to send a proposal to designate Woodlake South as a “golf cart community” back to the Woodlake South Homeowners Association (HOA) for additional review and a formal vote by residents.
The use of golf carts in neighborhoods and on roads has become a hot topic throughout the parish. The proposal would allow electric golf carts on neighborhood streets provided drivers are licensed, and carts are registered, insured, and equipped with required safety features, such as lights and mirrors.
Honoring the Fallen
During juror reports, Bossier Parish Police Jury President Tom Salzer expressed sympathy for the victims of a B-52H Stratofortress crash and read an executive order directing flags to be flown at half-staff in their honor. The order recognizes the eight lives lost, including members of the U.S. military, during a June 15, 2026, training mission involving a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the U.S. Air Force 412th Test Wing.
Salzer said Bossier Parish joins the victims’ loved ones and communities across the nation in mourning the loss. Under the order, the flags of the United States, the State of Louisiana, and Bossier Parish will be flown at half-staff over the Bossier Parish Courthouse beginning at noon on June 17, 2026, as an expression of respect for those who died in service.
New History Center Nears Opening at Bossier Central Library
Bossier Parish residents will soon get a closer look at the new history center inside the Bossier Central Library, Library Director Marisa Richardson announced.
Richardson said the project has reached substantial completion, with crews expected to begin addressing final punch-list items next week. Once that work is complete, library staff will begin moving artifacts into the space and preparing exhibits for a soft opening, expected near the beginning of July.
The center will feature a variety of displays highlighting Bossier Parish’s history, including a mural honoring the people of Bossier, a Caddo hut diorama with information about the Caddo Nation, and a large interactive map of Bossier Parish. The map includes buttons that illuminate features such as the Red River, Shed Road, Benton, and Bellevue.
Other planned features include a dogtrot cabin exhibit, artifact displays, reader rails with interpretive information, and close-up views of exhibits focused on the Caddo people, the Red River, and Shed Road.
Richardson encouraged residents to visit once the center opens, saying the finished graphics and exhibit spaces are impressive and that she is excited for the public to see the project up close.
Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a fatal hit-and-run crash on June 20 around 10:30 pm on Louisiana Highway 3 near Courtney Lane. The crash claimed the life of 43-year-old Jerry Vest, Jr. of Mooringsport.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Vest was walking south in the left lane on Louisiana Highway 3 when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle. Vest sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The unknown vehicle did not contact law enforcement and fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Impairment on the part of Vest is suspected. Standard toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers are still working to identify the driver and vehicle involved. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop G at 318-741-7411. Information can also be reported anonymously through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
Louisiana State Troopers urge pedestrians to remain vigilant while walking near roadways. Taking simple precautions such as wearing light-colored clothing, keeping safe distances from travel lanes, and walking while facing oncoming traffic can greatly reduce the risk of pedestrian-related crashes. Additionally, drivers need to be aware of the consequences of hit-and-run driving. Those who commit the crime of felony hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious bodily injury can face fines of up to five thousand dollars and up to ten years in prison.
Bossier Parish residents have until Tuesday, June 23, to submit items for the 2026 Community Time Capsule, an initiative that will preserve a snapshot of local life for future generations.
Organized by Keep Bossier Beautiful, the time capsule will remain sealed until 2076, when it is scheduled to be reopened during the nation’s 300th anniversary celebration.
Residents of all ages are invited to contribute letters to future generations, photographs, children’s artwork, essays, poems, favorite memories and family recipes.
Submissions may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Substation, located at 2510 Viking Drive. Items may also be submitted by email to lbryan@keepbossierbeautiful.com.
The project gives residents an opportunity to document what life in Bossier Parish is like in 2026 and share those memories with people who will open the capsule 50 years from now.
In Search of Good Food: On the back of a truck?
By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor
On Memorial Day weekend, I was at Mudbug Madness enjoying the food, music, and craft booths. As I was walking out, I ran across a food truck I had heard very good things about: Big Al’s Lil Bites.
Had I not filled up with crawfish, I would have ordered food right then and there; instead, I got contact information so I could try his food another time. You can easily check his Facebook page to find out where he will be.
This past weekend I was finally able to be where Big Al’s was going to be, and boy am I glad I was. Big Al told me they make all their food to order, so it will be the freshest possible and he can add or subtract ingredients based on everyone’s tastes.
As the name implies, Big Al makes Sliders and mini hot dogs or “Lil Bites” as he calls them. Lil Bites can pack some great flavors, as I soon found out. Big Al’s was at a location close to my daughter’s house, so I decided, why not show up with some food to share and see what everyone thinks.
I wanted a full range of his menu items; that was made easy by the way they created their menu. I ordered “The Triple,” which is three sliders of any kind, topped with cheese, pickles, and onions. The combos come with fries as well. I added the “Dirty Dawg Deal,” which is two mini hot dogs and fries. I ordered one of the dawgs smothered in chili and cheese and one plain. That didn’t seem like enough, so I added the “Fry Overload,” which is the fries smothered in chili, nacho cheese, and onions.
My car smelled so good that it ‘forced’ me to just have a few fries. A few soon became the whole side order that came with the sliders. The seasoning was perfect with the fries that were fried perfectly. They had that fresh cut potato consistency, but even if I had later found out those weren’t, I’d put those near the top locally.
I had already opened the sliders box, so I had to try one while driving, right? It turned out I grabbed the burger slider. Wow! It was good; easily the best item we got. Sadly, none was left when I got where I was going, so there were no other opinions on this one, but, trust me, you don’t need any more encouragement to order these.
The loaded fries were incredible as well. I was worried that the fries wouldn’t stand up to all that chili and cheese, but I was worried for nothing. Once that box was opened, three forks immediately swarmed me during the most silent two minutes of our meal. Those fries are worth the possible mess.
The loaded hot dog was just the right size, not too messy and not too much to eat. The plain hot dog is perfect for younger kids and was kind of cute — I mean, if food can be so.
The items that came out last were the other two sliders: pulled pork and chicken. The pulled pork had a ton of meat, as much as one gets on a regular sandwich. It had a nice flavor and was super tender. The chicken slider was done very well and gave us the delusion that we ate something healthy.
We surely all ate well.
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net
Clark bars Burns from shot at U.S. Open title
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
U.S. Open heartbreak had a different feel this time for Sam Burns.
The Shreveport native, a Calvary Baptist graduate, finished runner-up, by one shot – by an inch, you could say — Sunday at the 126th U.S. Open at Long Island’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. And he was choked up speaking to media about it.
A year earlier, it was a sour, bitter ending to a strong week at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, when Burns led much of the way including 36-and 54-hole advantages and a two-shot edge on the back nine Sunday. But it unraveled following a downpour, after a dubious U.S.G.A. ruling forced him to play from what seemed to be standing water in the 15th fairway, and he went 4-over in the last four holes, settling for a seventh-place tie. He was diplomatic as possible afterward in rueing the ruling.
This time, Burns almost joined Arnold Palmer for the largest final-round comeback in the championship. Palmer trailed by seven strokes in the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver.
Twice, the 29-year-old Choudrant resident moved within a shot of Wyndham Clark’s lead, the second time after draining an 18-foot birdie putt at the par-5 16th hole. Then it got even more agonizing: a 10-footer for birdie on the par-3 17th missed 2-3 inches right, and a birdie try from 17 feet on the final hole slid past on the right edge, fractions from falling in. Burns went to his knees and flipped his putter softly.
Playing two holes back in the final twosome, Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ, pulled off a minor miracle with a birdie out of a terrible lie on the par-5 16th, draining a 24-foot putt to turn what could have been a bogey or worse into a two-shot edge. Clark gave one back with a long three-putt bogey on 17. On the tourney’s final hole, Clark needed to two-putt from 59 feet to hold off Burns, and lagged his birdie try within inches of the cup to clinch the outcome.
After his best finish in a major championship, and a close miss of his first PGA Tour win since 2023, Burns was understandably emotional. His dad, Todd, was with him after the round on the practice tee, watching to see if Clark would crack, with Sam staying loose if he did. When Clark survived, father turned to son and told him how proud he was.
Recounting that moment to the media stopped Sam, and it took a few seconds for him to sniffle and gather himself to answer.
“I think we both knew how special it could have been for Father’s Day,” Burns said.
“I would say last year at Oakmont I felt more I lost the golf tournament,” Burns said. “I certainly don’t feel that way today.
“I started the day seven shots back. That’s very difficult to overcome, especially someone who is playing as well as Wyndham has been playing. That was really the difference today.
“If I would have been a little bit closer and maybe could have got ahead of him at some point, I think there could have been a different outcome possibly, but at the end of the day, he played amazing, and it was his week. You got to tip your cap to him.”
Burns said he would probably see his final birdie try taunting his memories as he went to sleep Sunday night.
“I really thought I made that putt,” he said. “It just didn’t go in.”
Burns was brilliant Sunday, making the only serious run at Clark with a closing 67. He began the round at even par, and birdied three of his first eight holes to move past a pack into solo second place.
“To start the day seven shots back, I knew it was going to take something really special,” Burns said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
Conversely, Clark bogeyed three of his first seven holes made it close. Three-putting at No. 15 put Burns in a difficult spot that he almost escaped to force a playoff.
Burns made one last charge, and was truly edged out of a shot at the title.
This time around, he was able to say without question, “The guy who played the best won.”
Clark collected a $4.5 winners’ payday. Burns got half that, $2.43 million, for his biggest check of the year.
It was his third straight top 10 at the U.S. Open, after last year’s seventh and a ninth-place tie in 2024.
McClure’s LSU, NFL success rooted in athleticism, adaptability, attitude
By ROBIN FAMBROUGH, Written for the LSWA
Todd McClure vividly remembers the day he got put in his place by one of his high school coaches.
“I thought, ‘Why is he doing this,’ ” McClure recalled. “I wasn’t just mad … I was really angry. I was a tight end and a defensive lineman.
“Those guys get their names called out on the loudspeaker. The only time you hear an offensive lineman’s name is when they commit a penalty.”
Central High offensive line coach Randy Blanchard did it anyway. Blanchard had McClure play center for the first time – presumably for one day.
The sophomore did what he was told. And it changed everything, clearing a path for McClure to become an All-America football player at LSU, a 14-year mainstay in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and now a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
On Saturday, June 27 in Natchitoches, the Baton Rouge native is part of a 12-person class being enshrined to culminate three days of festivities. For participation opportunities, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
All-Pro honors somehow eluded McClure, a fact one of his former head coaches with the Falcons, Mike Smith, calls a misnomer.
“In my opinion, Todd was an All-Pro … without question,” Smith said. “People believe wide receivers and running backs are the most important players around a quarterback. But really, it’s the center and not just because of snap exchanges.
“The blocking calls and pretty much everything goes through the center. Todd was a master of that and also the best teammate I ever coached. As a blocker, he was a technician who knew all the angles and leverage.”
The 2026 LSHOF induction is hardly McClure’s first honor. He was inducted into the Falcons’ prestigious Ring of Honor in 2022. At LSU, he was a two-time All-SEC selection and earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association in 1998.
Awards are merely window dressing for McClure, who built a career on an old school, multi-sport upbringing. McClure was a leader and a “glue guy” for each team he played for.
That “glue guy” moniker offered multiple meanings for critics of undersized linemen. At 6-2, 290 pounds, did not fit the prototype of an NFL lineman. But McClure stuck to his craft relentlessly as he fine-tuned skills in order to adapt and excel.
How good was he? Remember that youthful observation about offensive linemen and penalties? Consider this – McClure was called for just 22 penalties in 198 regular-season games during his NFL career.
That’s an average of 1.7 penalties per year. McClure didn’t have a single penalty called on him in the 2011 season.
And it started at practice with an order from Blanchard, best known as the Central baseball coach who won four straight Class 4A state titles with McClure as his All-State catcher.
“There wasn’t a whole lot else Todd could do at tight end that day,” Blanchard recalled. “So, I told him to move over to center. He did not like it one bit and I knew it. But I said, ‘You never know when you might have to play there.’ Of course, he did. What a career.
“Now I will tell you this, if Todd would have gone with baseball instead, I think he could have made to the Major Leagues as a catcher. I really do. He was that good.”
However, then-LSU football coach Gerry DiNardo was enamored with McClure after watching him play basketball for Central. After that, he still played tight end, but also took enough snaps at center so the film could be dubbed to VHS tapes that were sent to college football coaches.
“DiNardo loved him and told him to keep playing basketball because it would help his footwork so much,” former Central basketball coach Gary Duhe said. “Todd was just an all-around athlete. I give his dad a lot of credit because he had him play point guard in Biddy Basketball even though he was a bigger kid.
“Most people probably remember him as a 6-foot-2 guy guarding 6-9 Lester Earl (Glen Oaks star) in the (Class 4A) championship game for Central. He did that probably as well as anybody. But he also brought the ball upcourt against the press because he was our best ballhandler.”
Each all-around multi-sport skill certainly helped shape McClure’s destiny. Equally important was his upbringing and a lineage ingrained into the sports history of Central, a small town in a mostly rural area just outside Baton Rouge.
By the time he was in college, McClure’s words to teammates resonated like those of a coach for good reason. His grandfather Archie and father, Leo McClure, were coaches at Central.
During Leo McClure’s stint as an assistant coach and later head men’s basketball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, McClure, his older brother Trey and younger brother Tanna had unfettered access.
The McClures were ball boys and sat in the SLU locker room every day, including game days.
“That’s where I saw how things were supposed to be done,” McClure said. “I saw what leadership looked like from players and coaches every day when my dad coached at Southeastern.
“We saw things up close. That’s where I saw what being a good teammate looked like. For us, that was the only way for things to be done. That was the expectation and it shaped who I am, no question.”
The McClure way also meant being a multi-sport athlete. All three were three-sport athletes at Central.
Trey McClure played for two Skip Bertman-coached national championship baseball teams and is fourth on LSU’s career home runs list while Todd, who is 14 months younger, made a name for himself in football. Tanna McClure later played baseball at SLU.
Their mother, Brenda, was a two-sport standout at Central. Sundays were often spent helping maternal grandfather Jewel Wilson mend fences and tend to animals on a family farm. Those experiences led McClure to build his own ranch/farm in Zachary after his NFL retirement.
“I give so much credit to both sides of my family,” McClure explained. “There were lessons learned. I’m fortunate to have my grandmother (Carmel McClure) watch not only me and my brothers play, but also our children. It’s a blessing.”
Building a post-NFL life based on his family roots and competitive values made sense for McClure because he did it before – first during a transformative period for LSU football and again in the NFL.
Being called a great teammate or a leader is often dismissed as an antiquated atta-boy cliché by many people in today’s society.
McClure provides an example of why that should not happen, a point his former LSU teammates eagerly explain.
“We played against each other in middle school and I always followed his career,” former LSU linebacker Markeith Spears said. “Todd was one of the first guys to commit to LSU early in our senior year. And I figured if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me.
“But I did not know Todd as a person until we got to LSU. I was so nervous before my first start our freshman year. Todd calmed me down. He walked me through it, telling me, ‘You know what to do … just play hard like you always do.’ That’s compassion and leadership.”
Former LSU star lineman Alan Faneca, a Pro Football and LSHOF member, adds, “Todd was absolutely the best guy to play next to (for three years) … somebody you love to go to battle with each day. He was always absorbing information. You just wanted to play with him.”
Former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler notes, “The amount of trust we all had in Todd was based on seeing the amount of work he put in. All of us gained trust from the upper classmen in part because of him. He was the anchor of the line and the guy who made it all go.”
McClure was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Falcons. He tore his ACL during a training camp. A tough break like that has ended many careers. But not McClure’s.
“I remember a trainer telling me it was a torn ACL and then he left me in this area by myself,” McClure said. “I wasn’t sure what would happen next … was it (football) over for me?”
McClure learned there were two options. If the team offered an injury settlement, he would be released. If the Falcons placed him on injured reserve, McClure would get his chance.
“Pretty soon I found out I made an impression on people,” McClure said. “They had talked about me and what I had done in meetings for the offense and defense. So, they put me on IR. I got to work rehabbing, watching film … everything I could do.”
McClure honed his skills for reading sideline signals and the body language of defenders, looking for a “tell” that would give away game plans or tendencies.
The following season, McClure became a fixture for the Falcons, starting 159 of 160 games through the bulk of his career. Again, he built bonds and trust with teammates and coaches.
The fact that one of McClure’s first coaches in Atlanta was north Louisiana native Al Miller did not hurt, either. Miller, the Falcons’ strength coach, nicknamed McClure “Mud Duck.” The nickname stuck and so did McClure.
Michael Vick and Matt Ryan were among McClure’s Atlanta quarterbacks. He blocked for LSHOF running back and former Catholic High-Baton Rouge star Warrick Dunn.
“Todd and I were teammates for eight years,” former Falcons lineman Tyson Clabo said. “I still consider him to be my brother, even though we haven’t played together in quite a while. That’s how special the bond is.
“As a player, he was something else. I would be standing in the huddle trying to catch my breath after a play and Todd would get in my face to tell me something he saw from the sideline or about the defensive alignment.”
Clabo laughed as he explained that the Falcons drafted other centers over the years, figuring they could replace McClure.
Some potential replacements were cut. Others got moved to new positions.
“Management talked about wanting to be bigger and faster on the offensive line over the years when I was the coach,” Smith said. “It was a different story in our building. We knew Todd was always the guy … our guy.”
Nobody’s NFL path was more unique than Saints’ great Horn
By SHELDON MICKLES, Written for the LSWA
Compared to some of his NFL peers, Joe Horn ran a decidedly different pass route to stardom.
After all, the many twists and turns that led Horn, a multi-sport high school star, to becoming one of the league’s premier wide receivers would have probably left even a Hollywood script writer a bit dizzy.
From his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, to being selected in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Horn’s long, winding journey was unique to say the least.
It was unconventional, unimaginable and — most of all – highly unlikely.
It was also largely unfulfilling until a 28-year-old Horn, who toiled in relative anonymity in his four seasons with the Chiefs, joined the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 13, 2000.
Prior to signing a four-year, $9.9 million contract with the Saints, one of Horn’s top highlights came when he and Chiefs teammates Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith performed the national anthem before a Monday Night Football game in a jam-packed Arrowhead Stadium.
Many more highlights were to come within the white lines after Horn’s pro career took off with the Saints, which eventually led him to induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.
Horn is part of a 12-member Class of 2026 going into the LSHOF to conclude three days of festivities upcoming Thursday-Saturday in Natchitoches. For participation information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
To be sure, his journey to fame was anything but easy.
For starters, the many obstacles Horn had to navigate before he could contribute and put together a productive seven-year stint with the Saints from 2000-06 would have made even the most talented players give up on the sport.
Academic difficulties in high school kept him from being recruited to a Division I program, which meant he wasn’t widely exposed to college and pro scouts. Financial considerations for his single mother and six siblings, and his wife and baby daughter also weighed heavily on the 6-foot-1, 207-pounder.
Yet, there was no stopping Horn even though he played just two seasons of high school ball, then two seasons at Itawamba (Miss.) Community College. After that, he was out of football for two years while working in a furniture factory and a Bojangles restaurant.
Then, his determination paid off in a huge way.
Years later, Horn told reporters how he was down to two or three dollars in his pocket, which he used to buy a Jerry Rice workout video from a Blockbuster store.
Studying and emulating the drills the future Pro Football Hall of Famer was doing led Horn to put together his own tape which he sent to multiple NFL and Canadian Football League teams.
“It sharpened up my mind and skills, and it helped me stay focused on my dream to play in the NFL,” Horn said of Rice’s video. “It helped me mold my career and stay on my path. It helped my life … it kept me out of the streets.”
The CFL, which expanded to the United States a year earlier, was first to spot Horn’s potential. He was with the Baltimore Stallions and Shreveport Pirates practice squads before getting a big break with the Memphis Mad Dogs in 1995.
Flashing deep speed and shiftiness all over the field, Horn piled up 71 catches for 1,415 yards with a long of 90, averaging 19.9 yards per reception on the way to earning CFL Southern All-Star honors.
But the CFL’s South of the Border experiment failed following that season because of financial woes and poor attendance, which meant players would have to head north to continue their careers.
The numbers Horn put up in Memphis and his homemade highlight tape caught the attention of NFL scouts, which got him workouts with several teams prior to the 1996 draft.
After Horn posted unimpressive 40-yard dash times of 4.5 to 4.6 seconds for a couple teams, Chiefs running backs coach Jimmy Raye was dispatched to Fayetteville to work out the unusual prospect.
Horn had been working on his speed with his high school track coach and clocked a swift 4.35 for Raye, then put down an eye-catching 4.31 – leading the Chiefs to take a fifth-round flier on Horn with the 135th overall pick.
It was vindication for Horn, who took a call from Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer that officially welcomed him to the NFL.
“I thought about everybody who ever doubted me, everybody who talked (expletive) about me, everybody who laughed at me,” Horn said, “everybody who didn’t give me an opportunity and a chance to make it.”
Because he lacked bigtime experience, Horn still had to wait and study the position while performing mostly on special teams his first three seasons.
“He struggled some with the learning curve, but he was a core special teams player,” Raye said. “He had the prerequisites to be a good position player, but we kept him (on teams) early on.”
Nicknamed “Hollywood” for his flashy threads in the locker room and swagger on the field, Horn was willing to do anything to stay in the league. So, in his third season in 1998, he switched to defensive back.
When a Chiefs wideout went down with an injury in a preseason game, however, Horn went in at wide receiver.
A catch on a go-route prompted Schottenheimer to give his receivers coach a directive: “‘Put Joe Horn at wide receiver, and don’t you change him,’” Horn recalled his head coach saying. “That’s when I knew I wasn’t going to be cut.”
A year later, Horn responded with 35 receptions, 586 yards and six TDs. But as an impending free agent, his bid for a big payday from the Chiefs never materialized.
Horn wound up in New Orleans as the second UFA signed by the new Saints regime led by general manager Randy Mueller and head coach Jim Haslett after they picked up veteran quarterback Jeff Blake.
It didn’t hurt that new offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy was the Chiefs quarterbacks coach during Horn’s first three years in Kansas City and knew the potential of the fiery wide receiver.
So did Mueller, who was the Seattle Seahawks vice president of football operations when his team faced Horn and the Chiefs twice a year.
Horn didn’t do much in his first three seasons against the Seahawks. But late in the 1999 season, he had a 76-yard TD – the longest gain of his 12-year NFL career — and had 92 yards on just three receptions with Mueller watching from the press box.
“Obviously, I knew him well from our past history,” Mueller said recently. “Joe was the Chiefs’ fourth or fifth receiver and didn’t play a ton. But every time our guys lined up against him, I would see our cornerbacks shuffle back a couple steps pre-snap.
“You don’t see that in the NFL very much, so our guys knew he could run. They were worried about him running by them.”
Mueller said the Saints needed the skills Horn possessed to rebuild a franchise that had suffered six consecutive losing seasons — capped by a 3-13 mark in 1999.
“We needed speed and playmaking, and the fact our (Seahawks) cornerbacks respected him that much as a backup receiver made me dive into the film even more,” Mueller said. “He just lacked opportunity. Once he got them, he was able to come through and be very productive.”
Haslett, an aggressive linebacker as a player with the Buffalo Bills, watched intently as a fearless Horn put his toughness on display early in his first Saints training camp.
“He’s got great speed and he doesn’t mind blocking,” Haslett said then. “He’s not afraid to go deep and he can catch the ball over the middle. But he likes to block and hit those safeties.”
When Horn’s career blossomed with 94 receptions for 1,340 yards and eight TDs, the Saints won 10 games and the NFC West title and shocked the reigning Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams for the franchise’s first playoff victory.
Horn was just getting started. He continued to rack up big numbers, catching 80 or more passes and piling up at least 1,250 yards in four of his first five seasons in New Orleans — earning Pro Bowl berths in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.
In that five-year span, he set numerous club records while averaging 87 catches, 1,257 yards and nine TDs in playing 79 of a possible 80 games.
Known for his crowd-pleasing touchdown celebrations, Horn had a memorable one when he pulled in the second of a career-high four scores in a 45-7 rout of the New York Giants on Dec. 14, 2003.
Upon reaching the end zone, Horn reached under the goalpost’s padding and retrieved a cell phone to keep a promise to his children.
“Since it was a Sunday night game, my kids couldn’t go,” Horn, who was fined $30,000 by the NFL for the stunt, said. “When I was leaving the house, they were yelling and crying, so I said, ‘I’ll call you.’ I had to say something because I had to go.”
Even though he was the 17th wideout chosen in a 1996 draft that produced future Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens and No. 1 overall pick Keyshawn Johnson, Horn turned out to be one of the most productive and dependable receivers of that year and his era.
By the time nagging injuries took a toll on Horn in his final two seasons with the Saints, he had a club-record 27 100-yard receiving games and was second in receptions (523), receiving yards (7,622) and TDs (50).
Given the numbers and what he meant to his team, Mueller could only chuckle when thinking how the Saints hitched their wagon to and gave millions of dollars to someone who had 53 catches in his first four NFL seasons.
“Well, it worked out,” Mueller said with a laugh. “I just think the traits he showed in the times he played against us in Seattle were what sold me on him. His background was unique and he was hungry.”
Horn’s four Pro Bowl bids, the most for a wide receiver in club history, endeared him to the fans as a physical competitor who played with an edge on every play. As a result, he’s revered as one of the three best UFAs in franchise history along with Drew Brees and Demario Davis.
“I tried to bring a swagger every day, every practice, every game,” Horn said of his NFL career. “I always wanted to bring an attitude and bring a swagger so when gameday came, I wanted to have fun.”
Yes, he did.
