By Chuck Cannon
Editor

The most common image of a professional athlete today is one of a self-centered, egotistical lout who refers to himself in the third person and is concerned with just one thing — what's in it for me.

Then there are those anomalies like former LSU and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive lineman Anthony McFarland. The Winnsboro native was in Ruston Friday to lend a hand to five families who were evacuated from south Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have decided to call Lincoln Parish home.

McFarland and his I Can Wait foundation will pay the bills over the next six months for the families, who were selected by New Living Way Church in Ruston.

The church housed up to 50 evacuees after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated Louisiana's gulf coast.

Jerry Baldwin, a church member and former coach of McFarland's at LSU, contacted the personable star to see if there was something his former player could do.

"I was taught growing up that true friends will be there when you need them," McFarland said. "Having witnessed some of the things that happened in New Orleans, I couldn't wait to help. When Coach Baldwin called, I wanted my foundation to show these folks that they have a friend."

McFarland told the five families that he hoped having one less thing to worry about would help to ease the stress of losing everything to the hurricanes.

"Hopefully, you'll feel more comfortable, a little at home, even though you aren't really at home," he said. "That's what God has put on my heart — to help put a little stability back in your lives; to be a true friend."

Herman Flowers Sr. and Carolyn Capers were two of the individuals McFarland pledged to help.

"It's a blessing," Capers said. "I was really surprised."

Flowers said the pair had decided to stay in Ruston.

"We've found a house," he said. "Now we've got to get it furnished. And we lost our transportation in the hurricane so we can't get around."

Capers thanked McFarland and his teammates for their generosity.

"It's really beautiful for him to take time out for us," she said. "It shows he truly cares."

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