NFL Quarterback Delhomme to Join MidSouth's Team

MidSouth Bancorp (MSL) has drafted a NFL quarterback to help its bank.

The Lafayette, La., company said Thursday that Jake Delhomme has joined the board of MidSouth Bank as an advisory director. Delhomme has strong ties to the area; he played college ball for the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns when they won the Big West Conference twice in the 1990s. His pro career started with the New Orleans

Delhomme's collegiate career certainly made an impression on Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bancorp's president and chief executive and a big sports fan. "The 29-22 victory Jake led the Cajuns to over Texas A&M in 1997, during his senior year, is still the biggest moment in UL history for so many of us diehard fans," Cloutier said in a press release. "The goal posts came down, and the entire city celebrated for what seemed like months."

Delhomme also played in the Super Bowl as a member of the Carolina Panthers. His career also includes stints in Cleveland and Houston.

MidSouth didn't recruit Delhomme just to get his autograph. He will serve as a consultant to the bank's board, acting as a "goodwill" ambassador in the market. "Jake is an accomplished athlete and avid horseman who has a tremendous following and network of contacts," Will Charbonnet, the bank's chairman, said in a release. "We could not be more proud to have someone of his caliber represent our financial institution in every community we serve."

Delhomme is the latest in a series of interesting appointees at banks. Earlier this month, Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BKBK) tapped University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma to the boards of the company and its bank. In 2009, Regions Financial (RF) recruited former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice as a senior adviser to its board.