Checking in on GDFL Alum Delvin Breaux: What Could Have Been

IMAGE CREDIT: @breauxshow40

Delvin Breaux is one of the GDFL’s most notable alumni. He was an All-Star cornerback for the now defunct Louisiana Bayou Vipers in 2012, and has since carved a successful professional career in the CFL and NFL. That being said, what exactly is Breaux up to these days? 

Breaux is back in the CFL. He is starring once more as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ premier cornerback, just as he did during his first time with the team back in 2013 and 2014 (an All-Star season, just 2 years after leaving the GDFL). Recently the 30-year-old Breaux played in his third Grey Cup, the CFL’s version of the Super Bowl. He recorded three sacks, although his Tiger-Cats fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-12. 

Interestingly, the 107th Grey Cup featured two former members of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in Breaux and linebacker Adam Bighill. The 31-year-old Bighill, twice named CFL Most Outstanding Defender, was signed by the Saints in 2017, but was subsequently waived in 2018 without playing a single meaningful game for the team. In contrast, Breaux starred for his hometown team from 2015 through to 2017. ESPN’s report on Breaux’s return to the CFL details how the New Orleans-born Breaux was “one of the NFL's great stories in 2015,” a decade after suffering a near fatal neck injury. According to ESPN, Breaux “played at nearly a Pro Bowl level that year,” recording 3 interceptions and 19 pass defenses as the Saints’ No. 1 cornerback.

But Breaux’s ascent was derailed by injury, notably a pair of fractures in his fibula. He first suffered the injury in 2016, then again in 2017. The second fracture was marked by a misdiagnosis, causing a significant delay in Breaux’s recovery, and resulting in the firing of two Saints-affiliated orthopedists responsible for the error. But the damage had been done. Breaux was placed on the injured reserve, and he went on to miss the entire 2017 season — the first of what has been an impressive run of 3 postseason appearances for the New Orleans franchise. 

Sans those injuries the likelihood is that Breaux would still be with the Saints and enjoying their run of success, which culminated in last season’s NFC Championship Game. New Orleans stared down the high-powered Los Angeles Rams, but lost 26-23 in a highly controversial ending. The detailed NFL team guide for the 2019/20 season by Ladbrokes explains how the Saints were a pass interference call away from advancing to Super Bowl LIII. It wasn’t called, though, and the Rams escaped with the win, thanks to the big games from Jared Goff (297 passing yards) and Brandin Cooks (107 yards, 7 receptions). All the talk afterwards centered on the no-call, but worth noting, too, was the middling play of the Saints’ backfield. They sure could have used the dynamic playmaking and leadership of Breaux. 

Even though that's a great “what if”, there was a fair chance Breaux could've been the first GDFL to play in an NFC Championship Game and in a Super Bowl. But it is all moot now. The important thing is that he's healthy, and back to playing high-level football once again.

ABOUT THE GDFL

The Gridiron Developmental Football League is a Professional Developmental Football League based in Memphis, Tennessee. This League was established to provide the community with high quality sports entertainment and to provide athletes the opportunity to participate in professional sports. 

We are looking at partnering with national and local area businesses in our pursuit of excellence and commitment to our community. Our commitment, dedication, and vision are set on building a firm foundation for professionalism and quality. 

The Gridiron Developmental Football League continues to strive to provide a quality minor professional level of football throughout the United States and beyond giving area athletes and fans the opportunity be a part of history. Our organization would like to thank you for your support. 

We are excited about the upcoming season and look forward to “Making AN IMPACT” in our Community.Fans can visit our website at www.gdfl.org for upcoming announcements, ticketing info, and player tryouts.

The GDFL Communications Office contributed to this article