New Orleans Saints: Dome Patroller Pat Swilling Knew How to Swing QBs, Elections

Once upon a time, New Orleans elected a Saint to public office.

And who says religion and politics don't mix?

Vote for Mr. Rhythm –
Raise up your voice,
And vote for Mr. Rhythm;
I'm voting twice!—Ella Fitzgerald

In August, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told the Washington Press Club that Saints QB Drew Brees could take his job if he was so inclined. Landrieu laughed when he said it, but was only half-kidding.

It's actually probably true, and not because the current Mayor isn't off to a great start. He's just not as popular as Mr. Brees.

Whether Brees ever decides to toss his hat in the ring, only time will tell, but on this election night in America, former Dome Patrol legend Pat Swilling remains the only Saint to run for office in New Orleans and win.

Back in 1992, Pat Swilling was a New Saints Sacker, along with his partner in crimeRickey Jackson. They formed half of the legendary Dome Patrol and teased us of what could be.

They get back there and yell, "Get used to it, because it's going to be like this all day," And they're right...what was I supposed to do, coach?

Opposing QBs feared Swilling and his cohort.

They were just blowing me up on every third down. I thought I could exploit their secondary, but I never got a chance, because I never could protect myself. I was always getting out of this damn guy's way or that damn guy's way...

For Swilling, a 6'3", 242-pound two-time Pro Bowl player, all good things start with his 4.55 speed—"plus an inside power move that I've gone to this year, plus a spin," he says. "You could say that my arsenal is full," wrote Peter King all these years ago.

"Pat was always a step faster than me, getting around the corner. I'd have a bead on the quarterback, but he'd get there first. The man was costing me sacks. So I worked on speeding it up."

And then it was over as soon as it started, and Swilling decided he could charm voters much more than he ever charmed an NFL quarterback.

Swilling served in the Louisiana legislature following his playing days. And, he recently told the Washington Times that, while he has been wooed by the Republican Party, his allegiance lies with the Democrats.

"I've had conversations with people about running on the Republican ticket, because the Republicans are always looking for strong leaders and people to run on their ticket. But I'm a Democrat through and through. Mom and Dad were. I am; I always will be. I can never run on that ticket, never," Swilling told reporter Paul Banks.

"I know people say don't ever say never, but it's not me. I believe in the Democrats and what we're trying to do in moving this country forward," said Swilling.

I swung the elections friends

That's one tall order

From Canada to the Mexican Border—Jack Teagarden

While he is currently a New Orleans real-estate developer, Swilling told the Washington Times that he would not close the door on another run for office.

"I've been working on trying to bring back retail development in our city. That's what I do," Swilling told Banks.

He says he will have the opportunity to get involved in politics one of these days.

He says he is as good at drafting a bill as he was at terrorizing a quarterback.

He says the city and state still need him.

Vote, baby vote
Vote, baby vote
Are you registered baby?—Dee-Lite

"There's going to be an opportunity to get back into politics one of these days," Swilling told the Washington Times. "I still have the aspirations, I still like to be involved, I feel have something to bring to the table as a leader that can help our city. I've done it once, I definitely think at some point in time I want to be involved in the political system again, because it's needed in Louisiana."

Swilling may or may not know anything about the issues, but since when has that stopped a Louisiana politician from getting elected recently?

He may not know anything about budgets and crime and education, but he speaks with passion and conviction, and I, myself, think there's something to be said for that these days.

He has charisma and can read a teleprompter, and dammit, that's always been good enough for me.