In his first year of pee-wee football on the Covington Cougars, Mark was significantly smaller than the other players. Due to his tenacity and determination, the coaches called him “Scrappy.” Near the end of one game he was put in at fullback and given the ball to run up the middle. He was immediately flattened by Grant Nordgren.

In 1967, Mark saw the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” at the Star Theater. During the ‘intimate’ scene, his father covered his eyes.

The first New Orleans Saints training camps were held at St. Paul’s School - on what is today the baseball field. Mark and his friends rode their bikes regularly to the practices, often carrying gear for the players. Pictured is safety Obert Logan and the St. Paul’s Cafeteria in the background.