Kevin Faulk poses for a photo with standout athlete Kylon Polk, who plays football, basketball and baseball for the Tigers. 

LOREAUVILLE – Three-time Super Bowl champion Kevin Faulk spoke to a captivated audience in the Loreauville High gymnasium on Thursday night.

Loreauville Pee Wee Athletics hosted the event, which was attended by sheriff Tommy Romero, former sheriff Louis Ackal and local dignitaries. Brad Clifton credited James Knatt, a former all-state tailback at LHS, with bringing in Faulk.

“James is ‘The Man’ when it comes to this organization,” Clifton said. “He’s a huge asset and is very instrumental in getting opportunities for the kids in this community. We lean on each other for guidance.”

Knatt and LHS head coach Terry Martin introduced Faulk, a state champion at Carencro High, first-team All-American at LSU, and a 1999 second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

“We need kids to step up, or our future isn’t going to be bright,” said Faulk, who encouraged the students to use a consistent work ethic to adapt to uncomfortable situations.

“Prepare for adversity. It’s going to happen; you can’t stop it.”

Faulk talked about how it wasn’t a sure thing that he would sign with LSU. At the time, Notre Dame was in its glory years, and Faulk expected to be swayed on his official visit to the school, but he knew he wasn’t going to sign with the Irish as soon as he stepped off the plane.

“Trust your feelings,” he implored, adding that Miami was ruled out after he had “too much fun” on his South Beach trip. The University of Florida and coach Steve Spurrier were the biggest threat to LSU to land Faulk, who started for the Tigers as a true freshman and went on to coach at his alma mater.

“Tom Brady wasn’t the best athlete, but he was smart,” Faulk said of his former teammate, the most decorated player in NFL history. “He knew how defenses worked. He spent the whole summer preparing for them.

“No matter what, ignore the noise, be smart and manage expectations. Mistakes are going to happen. Learn from them.”

Loreauville Pee Wee Athletics includes 12-under, 10-U and 8-U tackle football, and a 6-U flag football division, as well as soccer, volleyball and cheerleading.

“Kevin Faulk has seen it all,” Clifton said. “He came through every rank from pee wee to the NFL. We want the kids to hear about his experience and see what is available if they put in the hard work.”

Faulk, who totaled 7,612 all-purpose yards with 89 TDs as a quarterback at Carencro, spoke for approximately 25 minutes before answering every question from the audience.

He added 6,183 yards and 53 TDs at LSU, tying a new SEC touchdown record that was surpassed by Florida QB Tim Tebow in 2009. Faulk received a degree in Kinesiology from LSU in 1999.

Loreauville head coach Terry Martin extended his thanks to the Rusty Ruiz Memorial Foundation for their excellent food donation.