BEHIND THE SAINTS SPOTLIGHT: As Caesars Superdome Stadium roared after Saints’ Match, star DE Chase Young was quietly saving 12 stray dogs from being put down — but it was the handwritten note he left at the shelter, a message so raw and unexpected that it moved the staff to tears and left Saints Nation realizing their superstar’s greatest catch may have happened far away from the field…

 

BEHIND THE SAINTS SPOTLIGHT: As Caesars Superdome Stadium roared after Saints’ Match, star DE Chase Young was quietly saving 12 stray dogs from being put down — but it was the handwritten note he left at the shelter, a message so raw and unexpected that it moved the staff to tears and left Saints Nation realizing their superstar’s greatest catch may have happened far away from the field…

 

 

BEHIND THE SAINTS SPOTLIGHT: Chase Young’s Greatest Catch Wasn’t on the Field

NEW ORLEANS — As the Caesars Superdome shook with the roar of Saints fans celebrating another hard-fought victory, defensive end Chase Young was already making headlines far from the bright lights of the NFL stage. Just hours after delivering a game-changing performance on the field, the 25-year-old star quietly slipped away to a local animal shelter, where he saved 12 stray dogs from being euthanized.

For Young, the moment wasn’t about publicity or recognition. According to shelter staff, he not only covered the adoption fees and medical costs for each dog but also left behind a handwritten note that left the entire team of workers in tears.

The note, now taped to the shelter’s bulletin board, read in part: “These dogs don’t know the roar of a stadium, but they know fear, hunger, and abandonment. If I can give them another shot at life, then I’ve already won. Please remind anyone who walks through here — they matter too.”

Shelter director Carla Jenkins admitted she and her team were stunned when they discovered the gesture. “We see so much heartbreak in this job, but Chase’s words hit us like nothing else. It wasn’t just about money or fame — it was about compassion. Everyone here cried reading that note. It reminded us why we fight so hard for these animals.”

The 12 dogs, ranging from abandoned puppies to older strays, were set to be put down later in the week due to overcrowding. Thanks to Young’s intervention, they will now receive medical treatment, foster placement, and a renewed chance at adoption.

News of Young’s act spread quickly after shelter volunteers shared the story online. By morning, hashtags like #ChasesGreatestCatch and #SaintsSavingSouls were trending across social media. Fans flooded comment sections with praise, many calling the defensive star “the heart of New Orleans.”

Teammates weren’t surprised. Linebacker Demario Davis told reporters, “That’s just who Chase is. He plays with fire on the field, but off the field, he’s got one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever see. This city adopted him fast, and now he’s returning that love in his own way.”

Even head coach Dennis Allen weighed in: “The world sees Chase the football player. What they don’t always see is Chase the man — a guy who cares about people, his community, and apparently, dogs too. That’s the kind of leadership you can’t measure in stats.”

For Saints Nation, the gesture may well redefine how they view their defensive star. Known for his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, Young may now be just as celebrated for his pursuit of kindness and humanity.

As the rescued dogs begin their journey to new homes, the shelter says they will forever carry the mark of the night Chase Young showed up — not as an NFL superstar, but as a savior.

In the end, Saints fans are realizing that his greatest catch didn’t come under the stadium lights, but in giving 12 forgotten lives a chance to shine.