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Former New Orleans Saints longsnapper Kevin Houser says he was surprised to be released by the team
Posted by Robert Travis Scott, The Times-Picayune
July 02, 2009


Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
Kevin Houser said today that he was surprised when he was released by the New Orleans Saints.

Former New Orleans Saints player Kevin Houser said Thursday that he was surprised and unprepared for the call that came Monday from Coach Sean Payton telling him that he was being released from the team.

Houser said Payton was businesslike and did not discuss a film studio investment controversy that has affected Houser and more than two dozen current and former players and coaches for the Saints who could lose nearly $2 million.

The team members individually sought to purchase state tax credits from Louisiana Film Studios, which has yet to acquire the credits or repay the players for their investment. Many of the players had followed Houser's lead in putting money into the project, and Houser has sought legal assistance to get repaid.

But in an interview Thursday, he said that when Payton called, at a time both men were on vacation, he was not told that the tax credit controversy or any potential ill feelings among the team members played a role in his dismissal.

"Was I prepared for it? No. Was it heart wrenching? Yes. did I lock myself in the bathroom and cry like a baby? Sure," Houser said.

"But, that being said, listen, it's a business world. We're all something that were meant to be put out there to win a championship. And if there's anything, or maybe this could have caused a rift, and if there are any underlying issues out there that people didn't come out and say to me, or that people did not have all the answers to the questions that they had for one reason or another .... listen, I understand."

Former New Orleans Saints longsnapper Kevin Houser says he was surprised to be released by the team - New Orleans Saints Beat