The New Orleans Saints are giving Champions Square a makeover, which includes the removal of an image that features former safety, Darren Sharper.

The image is iconic—cornerback Tracy Porter all but solidifying the Saints 2010 Super Bowl win with his interception return for a touchdown—but will now be coming down when the Saints begin reconstruction.

The reason for the removal of the classic Saints moment has nothing to do with Tracy Porter, and everything to do with Darren Sharper—No. 42, who is seen trailing Porter with his finger pointed to the sky.

Sharper was indicted by federal and state grand juries in 2014 and has since confessed to the drugging and raping or attempted raping of nine women across four states as part of a "global" deal with guilty pleas still pending in Louisiana.
Saints team executive Ben Hales confirmed the images removal, and that Sharper was indeed the reason behind the decision,

It’s common sense. We don’t even want the perception that that’s an individual we’re celebrating


Other teams have offered jersey trade-ins in situations were players were involved in crimes or activities that paint the franchise in a negative light. The Saints haven't gone that far, largely due to the fact that Sharper wasn't an active player when all of his legal issues came up.

In an emailed response to The Advocate, Hales explained that Sharper,

was not an active player with us when all the legal issues came up and hadn’t been for a few years, so (we) don’t think a trade-in would have been warranted

The Champions Square remodel will feature new lighting and also incorporate the Pelicans NBA franchise.

Many Saints fans, including myself, feel bad for Tracy Porter being that his memorable moment can't be celebrated due to one person in the background. Photoshopping Sharper out isn't an option, because that would just be pretending that he never existed.

Hopefully, instead of getting rid of the moment for good, the Saints just find another image that doesn't feature Sharper.

Just Google 'Tracy Porter Super Bowl Interception' to see what I'm talking about.

tracy porter super bowl interception
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
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tracy porter super bowl interception
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
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tracy porter super bowl interception
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
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