Khalen Saunders: Rising Star for the New Orleans Saints

The Non-Musical Saunders: A Family Story

New Orleans Saints defensive end Khalen Saunders often admits that he’s the least musically gifted member of his family. His older brother Kameron is a professional dancer who tours with pop singer Taylor Swift. Some of his siblings and relatives are also active in the music industry, serving in roles ranging from the Music Ministry of the AME Churches in St. Louis to various other positions. Despite the mockery, Saunders showed off his cool moves on national radio Monday night.

Game Highlights: Saunders’ Show Stopper

Saunders, former Kansas City Chiefs (2019-2022), stole the show when he caught a pass from former teammate, Patrick Mahomes, in the end zone in the third quarter. The pass, intended for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, was intercepted by Saunders who sprinted out of the end zone for an incredible 36-yard return before being tackled.

When asked about his performance, Saunders humbly replied, “I was just trying to keep them out of the end zone. That’s it [Dennis Allen] always preaching – protecting every piece of grass. So, that’s all I could think of. They say good things happen when you’re around the ball, so I was trying to be there.”

Impressive Statistics: An Introduction to Next Gen Statistics

Saunders’ incredible performance went unnoticed. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Saunders, who weighs 324 pounds, used a velocity of 15.79 miles per hour on his return. This impressive speed ranked third for a ball carrier his size as of 2016. The shutout increased the Saints’ win odds from 5.1% to 15.0%.

Saunders’ athletic ability 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 showing off his backflip skills. His college bio also mentions his interests in piano and tumbling. Last year, he occasionally played offensively as a linebacker for the Saints in goal line pockets.

Reflecting on his incredible reunion, Saunders expressed his admiration for Mahomes but was also happy to capitalize on the quarterback’s rare mistake. “Being on the receiving end of that mistake was special for me,” Saunders said.

Jamal Thompson is a versatile sportswriter with a passion for covering the intersection of sports and culture. From the gridiron to the hardwood, Jamal’s work explores not just the sport, but the wider impact of the sports community. His insightful commentary and storytelling have made him a valuable voice on 21Sports.com. When not writing, Jamal can be found mentoring young athletes in his community.