Texas Southern Great Brett Maxie Honored With Induction Into Saints Hall of Fame
By From quarterback recruit to NFL mainstay, Brett Maxie’s journey from Texas Southern University to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame is a story of transformation, resilience, and quiet excellence. This month, Maxie, a Dallas native and one of Texas Southern’s most celebrated football alumni, received the honor of a lifetime: induction into the Saints Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy with the team that gave him his NFL start.
Maxie’s path wasn’t paved with the usual accolades. He went undrafted in 1985 despite a standout college career at Texas Southern, where he led the defense in interceptions as a sophomore and quickly became a cornerstone in the secondary. Originally recruited as a quarterback, Maxie’s switch to defense early in his college career not only defined his playing days, it rewrote them. His versatility and instincts quickly turned heads beyond the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The Saints saw what others missed. Signed as a free agent under then-coach Bum Phillips, Maxie found his true NFL home when Jim Mora Sr. took the reins in 1986, forging a defense-first culture that suited Maxie’s disciplined, opportunistic style. Over nine seasons in New Orleans, Maxie started 72 games and played in 118, recording 15 interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, and helping steer the franchise to its first-ever playoff appearance and winning season.
Maxie’s post-playing career has been just as impactful. A seasoned coach with stops in the NFL, college football, and developmental leagues, he’s shaped defensive units at every level of the game. But for Maxie, the recognition from New Orleans, the city that gave him his break, represents more than just numbers on a stat sheet. It’s a celebration of an enduring career built not on hype, but on heart, hustle, and an unshakable foundation laid at Texas Southern University.
