Tony Elliot, Former Saints DT, Died on New Year's Eve

Tony Elliot, who went from fifth-round NFL pick to colorful New Orleans star, died at his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on New Year's Eve. He was 48.

Elliot, who had been paralyzed since a shooting in 2000, was one of the Saints' most colorful personalities during his career. He had overcome years of drug abuse and family tragedy to become one of the most sought motivational speakers in Louisiana.

According to a report from a lifelong friend, Elliot overcame much more in life than just drug addiction. Before finding success on the gridiron, Tony was forced to overcome the trauma of watching his father murder his mother. By the time he was in middle school, he had experimented with various illicit drugs and was well on his way to a life of alcohol dependence. He had also become involved with local gangs. He lived with his Uncle Wilbert, who he initially clashed against before finding a very close bond.

Earning a high-profile spot on the Harding High School football team turned him from the gang lifestyle, but Elliot was not deterred from the romance of drugs and alcohol. He was an all-state and All-American player, and was called a role model for his peers.

Just when it seemed life might take a turn for the better - or at least normal - his father, recently released from prison, shot and killed his Uncle Wilbert. Elliot went to the University of Wisconsin, but flunked out. He went on to Kansas's Pratt Junior College, where his play garnered enough attention to earn him a scholarship to North Texas. In four semesters, he passed only three classes and continued his romance with alcohol and drugs.

After being drafted in 1982 by the Saints in the fifth round, Elliot was suddenly caught in a spiral of addiction and wealth, which resulted in binges on cocaine and other substances. By mid-season of his rookie year, he was in rehab at Timberlawn Rehabilitation Center in Dallas. After 30 days, he rejoined the team and managed to stay off of cocaine.