Khalen Saunders: The Rising Star of New Orleans Saints

The Not-so-musical Saunders: A Family Story

New Orleans Saints’ defensive tackle, Khalen Saunders, often self-deprecatingly states that he is the least musically gifted member of his entire family. His elder brother Kameron is a professional dancer touring with pop sensation Taylor Swift. His other siblings and relatives also have a strong presence in the music industry, serving roles from the Minister of Music for AME Churches in St. Louis to various other capacities. Despite his jest, Saunders showcased his impressive moves on a national broadcast on Monday night.

Game Highlights: Saunders’ Show Stopper

Saunders, a former Kansas City Chief (2019-2022), stole the limelight when he intercepted a pass from his former teammate, Patrick Mahomes, in the end zone during the third quarter. The pass, originally intended for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, was smoothly intercepted by Saunders who then sprinted out of the end zone for a remarkable 36-yard return before being tackled.

When asked about his play, Saunders humbly responded, “I was just trying to keep them out of the end zone. That’s what [Dennis Allen] always preaches – defend every blade of grass. So, that was all I was thinking. They say good things happen when you’re around the ball, so I was just trying to be there.”

Impressive Stats: Next Gen Stats Recognition

Saunders’ extraordinary performance did not go unnoticed. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Saunders, weighing 324 pounds, clocked a top speed of 15.79 miles per hour on his return. This impressive speed ranks third for a ball carrier of his size since 2016. The interception boosted the Saints’ win probability from 5.1% to a significant 15.0%.

Saunders’ athletic prowess can be traced back to his high school days when he used to play as a running back. Notably, he gained internet fame in 2019 by demonstrating his backflip skills. His college bio also mentions his interests in piano and tumbling. In the previous year, he occasionally played on offense as a fullback for the Saints in goal-line packages.

Reflecting on his stunning interception, Saunders expressed admiration for Mahomes but also happiness about capitalizing on the quarterback’s rare error. “Being on the receiving end of that mistake was special for me,” Saunders stated.