The 2009 Saints season has been a ride for the ages. The Divisional and NFC Championship games have been over the top, just like the tidal storm surge that breached the levees in New Orleans. This time, however, it’s been a surge of the happiest of times the City of New Orleans and the Southeast Louisiana area has needed for the past five years. It’s amazing what winning can do to a region.
Everywhere you turn, the “Who Dat” fever has been spreading faster than the swine flu. People answer their phones with a “Who Dat”, instead of hello. The causeway toll-takers are into it as well, as they wave and say “Who Dat”! Even the local priests in area churches give the Saints a big “Go Saints!”, with applause from the congregation as daily masses conclude. It’s the happiness we have all been looking for since Katrina. It’s the happiness that has been locked-up inside each of us as we forged our way through hurricane recovery in search of normalcy.
Social media, like Facebook and Twitter, has been frenzied with friends wildly communicating their “Saintly” bliss in ways never thought imaginable five years ago. Messages the likes of “Get your ‘Crunk’ On” to “Black and Gold Super Bowl” and videos of Drew Brees’ pre-game chants to Jeremy Shockeys “Bad Boy” attitude get favorable comments from elementary and high school friends you have not seen in decades.
Our “Sense of Place” has been re-established. Our inner-compass has stopped spinning. We have re-gained our balance. Our New Orleans Saints have become a powerhouse in the eyes of the nation, which has brought the needed attention we deserve. On a local level, it has helped a slumping economy and has boosted our consumer confidence. Isn’t it amazing what a football team can do?
The New Orleans Saints have lifted our spirits and reminded us how lucky we are to live in the Greater New Orleans area. What an amazing place we call home. The combination of Mardi Gras, a New Orleans mayoral election and sitting at the threshold of a Super Bowl victory has this place on the verge of a nuclear explosion of epic proportions. But regardless of the outcome, our hearts have been healed and our souls have been replenished.
Everyone you know has a Saints story. We all fondly remember our departed family members and friends who were diehard Saints fans like its “All Saints Day and All Souls Day” again. We all know they have tickets to the best seats in the stadium and we know they will be watching and celebrating with us.
Let’s all give prayer and a special “Who Dat” cheer for our New Orleans Saints!