HARRISBURG -- Wide receiver Marques Colston is re-signing with the New Orleans Saints -- and he's re-joining the Harrisburg Stampede, as well.
Stampede owner Justin Coble says Colston has agreed to be a partner in the franchise, which begins its inaugural season of American Indoor Football (AIF) on April 7.
"Getting a high-character guy like him is huge," said Coble of Colston, who amassed more than 1,000 yards receiving in five of his six seasons. "He wants to be involved in the community."
Colston was previously involved with the club at its inception. But after making an initial investment, he left the team shortly thereafter; his lawyers said in April 2009 that Colston wanted to focus on his pro career, instead.
Colston credits Coble's enthusiasm for getting him back on board. Coble assumed control of the Stampede in February 2012.
"Just having a new ownership with a new attitude," explained Colston, in a brief phone call with CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol on Wednesday afternoon, on why he decided to rejoin the team. "Justin is willing to do whatever it takes (to make the product successful)."
Colston, a graduate of Susquehanna Township High School, agreed to a new five-year contract with New Orleans on Tuesday.
He also said he will attend some of the team's games and Coble expects Colston to be a hands-on partner, as well; involved with the day-to-day decision-making as much as possible.
And that's fine with Colston, 28, who is currently taking graduate business classes and knows he won't be playing in the NFL forever. "Having a skill set to transition into the business world is a huge asset," he said.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday that Colston is everything the team wants as both a player and a person. He added that Colston deserves credit for working to get a deal done before the opening of free agency.
Coble said making Colston a part-owner had been in the works for the past three or four weeks.
