Saints Release Veteran Punter Thomas Morstead After 12 Seasons

The New Orleans Saints announced Thursday (March 4) that the team has terminated the contract of veteran punter Thomas Morstead, releasing him from the organization after 12 seasons.

Selected by the Saints during the fifth round of the 2009 draft, Morstead has gone on to appear in 190 career regular season games and 15 postseason games for the team, including the famous "ambush" play in Super Bowl XLIV, his rookie year.

General Manager Mickey Loomis said that as the start of the next NFL year approaches, the team is having to make tough decisions.

"Thomas Morstead has been the epitome of the consummate pro since the day we selected him in the 2009 NFL Draft," said Loomis. "He has been a remarkable punter and an outstanding leader in the locker room, and an eight-time team captain. His work in the community has been nothing short of remarkable."

He continued, "We appreciate the dedication and professionalism that Thomas has brought to our organization from the moment he joined our team and sincerely wish both he and his family the best."

Head Coach Sean Payton said Morstead has been a very important member of the organization and community since he arrived in 2009.

"It has been an honor to have coached and witnessed his growth as a player and a person," said Payton. "He has been a great leader and mentor to many younger players throughout his career, and his Pro Bowl level of play year-in and year-out has been remarkable. I know that Thomas will be highly successful in the future and am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach him."

Even though Morstead may be leaving the team, he doesn't plan on leaving New Orleans behind as he and his family are building a home in the city, WWL-TV reports.

"New Orleans has been amazing to me and my family," he said. "This is my home regardless of where the rest of my career might take me. The support of the fans has been exceptional."

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