Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Sigler

Rookie kicker Blake Grupe recounts an unforgettable Saints preseason debut

Blake Grupe had a day at the Caesars Superdome he won’t soon forget — getting the nod to try the game-winning field goal as time expired, a huge opportunity to draw a line in the sand during his roster battle with Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz.

And he came through for the New Orleans Saints. But that’s just one part of the three-step process that Grupe reflected on after the game. In addition to nailing the game-winner, he had a couple of run-ins with security at the Caesars Superdome he can’t help but laugh at. It’s certainly a memorable experience for the former Notre Dame standout.

Retelling the story on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Grupe says he was approached by venue security while taking the field for pregame warmups Sunday morning, having shown up without credentials. And that was a problem after the game, too, when Grupe says security stopped him at the players’ exit while mistaking him for a rogue fan.

Look, you can’t be too vigilant. Back in 2021 a UTSA student fooled security at Kyle Field into giving him VIP access at a Texas A&M home game during their upset win over Alabama. But come on. Nobody had eyes on Grupe as he was leaving the arena? We’re guessing mistaken identity won’t be an issue for him much longer.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.