As a fan, there was always something that drove me absolutely nuts about Joe Horn. I couldn’t figure out why until later in his career, but looking back I think the answer was simple: He always made plays when they mattered most.
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Horn will retire after signing a contract with the Saints, who elected him into their Hall of Fame earlier this spring. He’ll hang ‘em up with 603 receptions, 8,744 receiving yards, 58 touchdowns and four Pro Bowl appearances to his credit.
Compared to other receiving greats, there wasn’t anything uniquely special about Horn, although he certainly had enough speed, intelligence and playmaking ability to torch defensive backs every Sunday. He also had incredibly soft hands, which is something that is often overlooked in today’s day and age, where 40 times for receivers often carry more importance to scouts.
Granted, even some Saint fans won’t miss him. He was a controversial player at times, always ready to speak his mind and his attitude rubbed some the wrong way. He’ll also probably be more remembered for his cell phone touchdown celebration than for his play on the field. But in the end, his contributions (especially during the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged season of 2005 when he became the unofficial spokesperson for the team) to the Saints far outweigh whatever negative attention he may have brought to himself throughout his career. He was a leader on a team that desperately lacked that trait for many years and he’ll always have a place in Saints history.
In the end, Horn won’t be remembered as a great receiver. But for those that watched him play (whether you rooted for him or hoped he would trip over a pylon and be swallowed whole by the turf), he left an impression.
