Louisiana is mourning the loss of legendary pro and college football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio, who has passed away. Among many other things, Detillier co-hosted “The Second Guess” with former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, who was overcome with emotion talking about showing up to work yesterday knowing Detillier wasn’t there.
“I come here to the studio, and I always pass by where his office was, and see him. We always had conversations: ‘What’s the latest news?’ And you know, I just didn’t see him there (sobbing) today,” Hebert said.
Detillier was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer less than two weeks ago and had planned to tell listeners today, on what would have been his 66th birthday. Yesterday on “The Second Guess,” Hebert talked about when he got his first indication that Detillier was experiencing health issues.
“I kind of knew something was up with Mike when it was mandatory minicamp in June and he said, ‘Bobby, my back’s killing me.’ He got a knee replacement, so he thought maybe he’d changed his gait, and that’s why his back was hurting. Now we all know what it actually was,” Hebert explained.
When the Saints were in Los Angeles for their preseason game on August 22nd against the Rams, Detillier had to be rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pains. It was at that time when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By then, the cancer had spread throughout his body, and it was too late for doctors to save his life.
Detillier was a Saints and LSU football analyst for more than 40 years, and Hebert noted yesterday on “The Second Guess” that he was immersed in his work right up until the very end as he was watching the LSU game.
“On Saturday night, he was feeling weaker and weaker, but he was so upset because the damn game got delayed. He goes, ‘Man, you know, I don’t need the game to be delayed,’ and he passed away at 1:30,” Hebert recalled.
The Saints, Head Coach Kellen Moore and many players past and present have issued statements expressing their condolences over Detillier’s passing.
Meanwhile, many are mourning the death of longtime sports radio host Mike Detillier, who passed away on Sunday at 65 from a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. His longtime radio partner on WWL Radio, former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, says Detillier was well respected for his football opinion and more importantly he was very kind.
“I really don’t know if Mike had any enemies. Nobody came up to me and ever said, ‘Man, Mike Detillier’s a jerk,'” Hebert noted.
Detillier’s spent 40-plus years of his life as a pro and college football analyst on WWL. His M&D draft report was staple for any football fan as it was 200 pages long, filled with in-depth profiles of the players eligible for the draft. Hebert says you better pack a lunch if you were going to talk football with Detillier.
“It was amazing, his photographic memory; about how he knew the players and the history of high school, college, where they’re at. And paying attention to detail with the Draft Guide, being the draft guru,” Hebert explained.
Hebert and Detillier hosted the popular “Second Guess” show on WWL radio on Monday nights during the football season for two decades. Hebert says he can’t believe Mike D is gone.
“I enjoyed doing shows with him and just talking football; sharing stories about grandkids. You want to be around for your grandkids and stuff,” Hebert said.
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