Most Saints fans will remember Zach Line for being a part of one of the most successful three-year stretch in Saints history. His record as a member of the team is an astounding 37-11.
But his role in football has changed the past few years since his NFL retirement after the 2019 season, and it's been marked by tragedy. Line is now the head football coach at Oxford High School in Michigan, the scene of a tragic school shooting in November 2021 that left four students dead, including one of his players in 16-year-old Tate Myre.
Line came on WWL this week and spoke with Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss, and Saints EVP/GM Mickey Loomis to discuss how the school and community have come together since that points.
Listen to the full interview in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
"Following everything that happened, there didn't seem like there was a light the end of the tunnel. But I knew we just needed to be together. As much as we could, we got the team together. ... We did everything possible following that just to keep kids together, because the worst thing you can do is be alone. And that's the whole reason you have a team," Line said. "It's the whole reason we build culture is that, if you're gonna preach these things and instill these things in your team, you've got to act on them and you got to lead by example. And I thought our team did a phenomenal job, and our coaches and everybody that, you know, had a role in bringing these kids back to a foundation did an amazing job. I mean, these are unchartered territories, and I think we're going to look back at this football season and think of how we could have done better and, I think it's one of the things where we're kind of writing the book as we're going."
The other two students killed in the shooting were 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 17-year-old Justin Schilling and 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin. Eight others were hurt in the shooting.
In response the 42 Strong mentorship program was established, as well as the Tate Meyer Memorial Scholarship fund. The number 42 represents Meyer's jersey number.
"At the end of the day, it's just being good people," Line said. "And you never know what kids are going home to, or what friend groups are in. This has given them an opportunity to step outside that and join an organization that's all about changing things for the positive."
