3rd Anniversary of the Black and Gold Superbowl!

New Orleans Super Bowl Memories from NFL Films

Best Super Bowl Ad: Paul Harvey's "Farmer" for Dodge

'The Spirit of New Orleans'

The following video essay was prepared for the Super Bowl Pre-game show by  CBS and Wynton Marsalis:

Mike Lupica: Super Bowl 2018 in New Orleans a great idea for renewal of the city

The following comes from the Daily News site:

The Super Bowl has returned to New Orleans this week and it is an event, for now at least, that is the last act of a magnificent comeback by a truly great American city. New Orleans officially shows the country and the world that is all the way back now from Katrina, which did even worse here than Sandy did in Staten Island and Breezy Point and the Jersey Shore.

So the big game comes back here for the first time since 2002, since Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal and beat the Rams for a kid named Tom Brady and the Patriots. But no Super Bowl game, not Patriots vs. Rams or even this game between the Ravens and 49ers on Sunday, can ever be the biggest game of football ever played in this city, because that will always be the one the Saints played — and won because of a blocked punt by a Saints player named Steve Gleason, now suffering from ALS — in September of 2006 after Katrina.

That was the night when a national television audience saw New Orleans get up.

“There will never be,” James Carville, the chairman of the host committee for this Super Bowl, was saying on Thursday, “a more important sports event than that in this city or in this state.”

Then James Carville, a New Orleans resident, said, “But this one we got comin’ up on Sunday ain’t bad.”

Ain’t bad, ain’t enough.

Read the rest here.

Super Bowl 2013 represents a journey for New Orleans:

The following comes from NOLA.com

The accolades for New Orleans started flowing as soon as Super Bowl visitors hit town this week. "Just arrived in N.O. NFL can hold the Super Bowl here every year ... No better big event city for sports," Rick Gosselin, a Dallas Morning News columnist, tweeted Sunday night.

Maria Elana Oliva and Rodolfo Oliva work together with others to fold a banner as workers at Crystal Clear Imaging work with oversized printers, making the huge banners and signage at their shop in Elmwood Jan. 29. The banners are going up around New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII.Ted Jackson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Bernie Miklasz, a sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who has covered the Super Bowl for three decades, said New Orleans is his top choice as host city. Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher tweeted: "Man I have a special love for New Orleans!! I love coming here."

New Orleanians love this city ferociously, and it is a point of pride that so many people elsewhere feel a similar affection. This week, though, the compliments carry greater significance. After what the city and the region have gone through over the past seven years, it is a remarkable achievement to be hosting another Super Bowl.

As Ti Martin, whose Commander's Palace restaurant underwent a $6.5 million renovation post-Katrina, told FoxSports.com: "Every now and then when you've got your nose to the grindstone, and you're just working, working, working, you've got to stop and say, 'Look at what we did.' And this is going to be another one of those moments."

It should be one of those moments for everyone who has worked to bring this community back - every homeowner who returned, every business that reopened, every civic activist who demanded better schools and government, all the volunteers who gave of their time and energy to clean up and rebuild.

And specifically for this event, thank you to Saints owner Tom Benson, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. Super Bowl XLVII is putting New Orleans on an international stage. For anyone who is unaware, the city's renaissance will be impossible to miss.

This moment was hardly a given. A few weeks after the Saints' triumphant return to the Superdome for the 2006 season, the NFL held its fall owners meeting in New Orleans. Commissioner Goodell started the meeting with a highlight video from the Saints' victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the renovated Dome. The video featured Steve Gleason's blocked punt, Coach Sean Payton's postgame speech, in which he dedicated the game ball to the people of New Orleans, and shots of emotional fans decked out in black and gold.

"It's hard to imagine where we were a year ago," Mr. Goodell told the owners that October day. "And to see where we are now, the progress that has been made is extraordinary." It was extraordinary given that 80 percent of the city was under water after Katrina hit and the levees broke in August 2005.

Not all of the owners were persuaded, though, that New Orleans was going to be a viable city for the long-term. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney said, "The thing that has to be determined is the business (in the city). Is that going to come back?" There also were concerns about whether the Saints could consistently sell tickets, something that had been a problem in the past.

The doubts weren't without cause. There were still blue tarps on rooftops, still thousands of houses that had been gutted but not rebuilt. And we are still rebuilding and still bear some scars.

The difference between October 2006 and today, though, is dramatic. The Saints not only have been able to sell tickets, the Superdome is sold out every year and the team has a long waiting list. And the Black and Gold's 2009 Super Bowl season was nothing short of magical.

As for New Orleans, there are more restaurants open than ever, and the city just finished upgrades to the airport and opened a new spur on the streetcar line. In 2012, tourism officials said that the city received more than a dozen national accolades. It also was recognized for its brain gain and its entrepreneurial energy.

The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest of big events. New Orleans has for years been one of the NFL's favorite sites, as evidenced by the previous nine times the city was chosen to host the game. It has been more than a decade since the game was played here, though. And, given the trauma to our region since then, it seems like longer ago than that.

This week has been more than three years in the making. The host committee, led by co-chairs James Carville and Mary Matalin, have worked countless hours and lined up a dizzying array of events. Thousands of volunteers signed up to help make our guests this week feel welcome.

Good luck to the Ravens and to the 49ers. Have a great week and a super game. We know you've worked hard to get to this moment. And so have we.

THANK YOU BOYS!!! COWBOY MOUTH'S "I BELIEVE (THE SAINTS VERSION)"

Carrie Underwood Sings Super Bowl National Anthem

Super Bowl Mass

You have to love New Orleans!!

New Orleans Saints LB Scott Fujita's Super Bowl XLIV diary

This is great! Saints LB Scott Fujita offers his daily diary leading up to the Super Bowl at NOLA.com:

Saints linebacker Scott Fujita's daily activity leading up to Super Bowl XLIV vs. Indianapolis.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Destination: Miami

"It's okay to be pleased, but never satisfied." -- Dick Vermeil

Coach Vermeil was my first head coach in the NFL. He's a legend in the coaching profession, and his reputation as a man who cares more for his players' well-being than the game itself is unquestionable. He taught me to never accept complacency. So here, in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, some would say we've arrived. The Saints did it. Job well done. But let's get one thing straight: We're here to win the whole thing. The Saints are on a mission. No group of people deserves a Super Bowl Championship more than the people of New Orleans. They have been patient, their support has been unwavering, and to be perfectly frank, they haven't had many people looking out for their best interest. But we have been. We care. We're in this thing together.

Let's be honest, the leadership in New Orleans since Katrina hasn't exactly been stellar. But those who have nothing, look to us. Those who'd like to return but can't, look to us. Those who want nothing more than a fair shake, look to us. Why? Because we have our stuff together. We recognize our role, and we don't take that responsibility lightly. They can count on us. Like I said...we're in this thing together.

Our first day in Miami was exciting, but hectic. Airport security...flight to Miami...bus to hotel for check-in...bus to University of Miami...change into gear for practice...bus to Dolphins facility for indoor practice due to rainstorm...practice...bus back to the U...shower and change...bus back to hotel...meetings.

I heard from Coach Vermeil and Gary Gibbs (our Defensive Coordinator in New Orleans the previous 3 seasons) this morning, who called to share their excitement and best wishes for all of us. Also ran into Bill Parcells at practice today, who was my Head Coach in Dallas in 2005. I hadn't seen him in a few years, so it was great to catch up. He told me how proud he was of me, and that I looked older(?). Not quite sure how to take that last part. I owe him a lot. His desire to trade for me in 2005 really helped get me out of a stale situation in Kansas City, and I credit him with helping get my career back on track.
We had an NFL security meeting this evening...you know, the "what to do's" and "what not to do's" the week of the Super Bowl. The security rep from the league referred to us as "gents" about a dozen times. That might not sound very funny, but picture a room full of immature, overgrown men who have been riding buses all day and are looking for a laugh at someone else's expense. Needless to say, I don't know if anyone could take this guy seriously.
Highlight of the day: Being the first Saint to step off the plane in Miami.

Low-point of the day: Not getting a Nike schwag bag in my hotel room. All the guys who are endorsed by Nike got sweet Super Bowl schwag, with about $5000 worth of merch, including some products from their ACG line, which I love for hiking and for outdoor use. I was endorsed by Nike for seven years, but they voided my contract (after several warnings) for "spatting" my cleats on game-days. Some of us spat, or put tape around our cleats, to keep them tight. Nike, apparently, doesn't like that their precious Swoosh gets covered up. Oh well. Wouldn't be that big of a deal if it weren't for every teammate rubbing it in my face, parading around in all their cool new gear.

Read the rest of the diary here.

Archbishop says Saints' win another sign of hope city is rebuilding

The following comes from the CNS:

New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond said the New Orleans Saints' win in Super Bowl XLIV win was "not just a football victory."

"I think it's another sign of hope in that our rebuilding is not just a possibility -- it's a reality," the New Orleans native said after the underdog Saints -- playing in their first Super Bowl -- won the game with a 31-17 comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

"The spirit of the city has changed," he added. "It's another sign that God is faithful."

Archbishop Aymond celebrated a Mass Feb. 7 for New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle, and relatives, friends and team officials at their Miami hotel before the Super Bowl.

"All week long, people have been asking me, 'Who will win the Super Bowl?'" the archbishop told the 300-member congregation, all dressed in Saints' black and gold.

"And it's obvious, of course. History gives us a glimpse as to the answer," he said. "We know historically that many of the saints of old went into battle for the faith. And when they did so, they rode on colts. In the battle, the colts got wounded, but the saints had victory in eternal life. So, the Saints will win."

Those at the Mass included retired New Orleans Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, 96, two Dominican sisters from St. Louis Cathedral Academy in New Orleans and several other clergy and religious invited to the game by Benson.

Citing the readings of the day, Archbishop Aymond said Jesus sometimes gave the apostles "odd" advice, such as to cast their nets into the deep even though they had caught nothing all night.

"We are to persevere and to go the extra mile or two and to have hope," Archbishop Aymond said. "Is that not the story of Tom Benson and the Saints? ... There are times when part of our lives look like an empty net, and yet Jesus says, 'Go out into the deep, don't give up hope, persevere, let God direct you.'"

The Mass ended with a rousing a capella rendition of "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching' In."

Archbishop Aymond and Archbishop Hannan, who recited the invocation at the Saints' first regular-season game in 1967, watched Super Bowl XLIV from Benson's private suite, along with Dominican Sisters Mary Rose Bingham and Mary Andrew Hession.

Also attending the game at Benson's request were Jesuit Fathers Kevin Wildes and James C. Carter, the current and past presidents of Loyola University New Orleans, respectively, and Msgr. Ken Hedrick, former rector of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

Archbishop Aymond said he was thrilled that his prediction had come true.

"Wow, what a great gift to the Saints, to Mr. Benson and to the city," Archbishop Aymond said. "We're just so grateful that they made us very proud. All we can say is, 'Bless you, boys. Bless you for representing our city very well.'"

Archbishop Aymond admitted there were moments, especially when the Saints fell behind 10-0, when he was concerned that this would not be the Saints' year to erase decades of football misery.

"Then the game was getting closer and closer, and then I thought I was having a heart attack," Archbishop Aymond told the Clarion Herald, New Orleans' archdiocesan newspaper. "Then someone turned to me and said, 'Don't worry, one of the persons sitting over there is a cardiologist.'"

Drew Brees' Heartfelt Speech

ESPN Sunday Conversation: Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees won his first championship because of the things he didn't do in Super Bowl XLIV.

He didn't try to force passes into tight coverage in his team's 31-17 win over Indianapolis. He didn't make the kind of game-altering mistake that ultimately doomed Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Brees also didn't allow frustration to enter his mind when his offense was settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.

In the end, people will praise the numbers that led to Brees' being named Most Valuable Player of this contest (32-of-39 passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns). What many will underestimate, however, is how carefully Brees conducted the Saints' offense.

He built most of those statistics on short passes. Meanwhile, the big plays that had been a New Orleans trademark were as hard to find as a Saints fan who had never uttered the words "Who Dat?"

This was the beauty of Brees on Sunday. The popular notion was that this game would've been a shootout, especially given the potent passing attacks of the teams involved. Instead, Brees led his team to victory with an approach that was more dink-and-dunk than downfield artistry.

"The first thing we cared about coming into this game was taking care of the football," said Brees, whose efforts helped the Saints secure their first championship in team history. "And the second thing was to be patient. We did both those things and they resulted in a win."

This wasn't the first time Brees had to slow down his offense to achieve optimal results. He played a similar style in the Saints' NFC Championship Game win over Minnesota and his approach was just as noteworthy then. This is a man who led the NFL in passing and guided an offense that averaged a league-high 31.9 points a game. Common sense says he had to be getting a little trigger-happy at some point.

Instead, Brees kept making the plays that kept his team's possessions alive. He'd find rangy wide receiver Marques Colston on crossing patterns and curl routes. He checked the ball down to his running backs when deeper options didn't materialize. And when it came time to execute one of the many screen plays the Saints ran, Brees held on to the ball just long enough to let his receivers maximize their opportunities when the ball finally got in their hands.

The Colts' defense eventually felt the sting of those subtle blows over time.

"It was a combination of our pass rush and coverage [not doing the job]," said Colts safety Melvin Bullitt when asked about Brees' efficiency. "We normally don't have those problems, and I don't know what it was today. A lot of what he got were dump-off passes, but he did a good job. He knew we would be keying on the deep pass so he took the short passes more often."

"I thought Drew was magnificent," said Saints head coach Sean Payton. "We knew he would have to play well, and he handled a lot of our offense at the line of scrimmage. I thought he was fantastic and he's been that way all year."

Though the Saints had only two offensive touchdowns -- Brees was responsible for both -- the quarterback manufactured the kind of possessions that kept the Saints confident and focused. When New Orleans trailed 10-0 after the first quarter, it was Brees who led his team within range for a 46-yard Garrett Hartley field goal.

Brees' leadership was equally important after the Saints opened the second half with an onside kick. After recovering the ball, New Orleans later scored on a 16-yard screen pass to running backPierre Thomas. By the time Brees hit tight end Jeremy Shockey for a 2-yard touchdown pass -- along with Lance Moore on the subsequent two-point conversion -- the Saints led 24-17 and the scent of an upset lingered in the air.

Then all hell broke loose when New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Manning and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. That play didn't just clinch the game for the Saints. It also was a valuable reminder of how Brees had helped put the Colts in a position to press.

Every New Orleans fan in the country had to be celebrating at that point. Brees had spent most of the past four years talking about how much the Saints had been playing for a fan base still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now he had the chance to talk about giving those people a heartfelt gift.

"Four years ago, who would've thought that we'd be here?" said Brees in reference to his signing with the team in 2006, a couple months after Payton had taken the job. "Eighty-five percent of the city was underwater. People had been evacuated to other parts of the country. But the organization and the city decided to rebuild together and that's what we did. Today was the culmination of all that work."

Actually, it also was something else: validation of Brees' impact on this franchise. After producing gaudy numbers over the past four years, Brees helped deliver a title that will only enhance his legacy. He easily could've tried to win a championship by imposing his will on the Colts' defense. Instead, he did what all great quarterbacks do: He let his leadership be the deciding factor in the biggest game of his life.

The New Orleans Saints season was "magical"

The following comes from NOLA.com:

On the morning after, having saluted the winning coach Sean Payton and MVP of Super Bowl XLIV Drew Brees, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell still was shaking his head after leaving the media center.

"You think of the story and all you do is keep coming back to the word 'magical,' " he said Monday.

All week long, it was a story told -- over and over -- how this championship was more than just a football game, how the New Orleans Saints were more than just a football team, how the success of the Saints demonstrated the "value of sports," not only to a city, but to a region.

The "magic" was the most widely watched Super Bowl, attracting in the range of 106.5 million viewers.

As the party continued -- non-stop -- in the Crescent City, Drew Brees was on his way to New York for a Monday night appearance on the "Late Show with Dave Letterman."

Sean Payton, who spent Sunday night sleeping with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after New Orleans defeated the Colts 31-17, was preparing to join his players for a parade in New Orleans today.

And that was only the beginning.

On Saturday, Tom Benson will be the Grand Marshal of Endymion.

On Sunday, Brees will reign as Bacchus.

On Monday -- Mardi Gras Eve -- Payton will go from head coach to Orpheus.

Next Tuesday, for the first time, the city will be celebrating Mardi Gras II, March Gras I having begun sometime in September, when the Who Dat Nation began serious marching to Roman Numerals XLIV.

Let me be honest.

I still have a hard time believing what I'm experiencing.

On Sunday, I arrive in the press box at Sun Life Stadium, I look down at the end zone painted black and gold, I see the letters S-A-I-N-T-S, and I'm asking myself, "is this for real?"

Then you watch a football game, having witnessed some hard-to-believe magic two weeks earlier, and, sure enough, there was more.

First you see some Peyton Manning magic, an 10-0 deficit for the Saints, and then you see some Who Dat magic: an unbelievable gamble at the start of the second half ("I wasn't worried, I was terrified," said Tom Morstead about executing a knuckleball onside kick).

There was more magic, of course.

Brees completed his last 10 passes, something exceeded in a Super Bowl only by Joe Montana. He also completed passes to seven receivers on a single drive, something no quarterback has done -- and he did it on the winning drive. Tracy Porter's game-clinching interception of a Manning pass was magic at its finest.

Think about it.

This season, Payton's Who Dats beat five teams with quarterbacks who won Super Bowls -- the Giants, Patriots, Cardinals, Vikings and Colts.

Now the Who Dats have one.

You look at Brees, and you realize, among the impressive attributes he has, one is the manner in which handles celebrity.

He mixes a warrior mentality with a genuine modesty that sets him apart from many in the business operating at the elite level.

During the week, he told the story of a phone call he once received from Manning when the Colts' quarterback was in the early stages of his NFL career -- and Brees had won a big game at Purdue.

"Peyton had already done some great things as a professional," Brees said. "He had established himself. I felt honored by the call from someone like him."

Brees meant what he was saying. From his high school days, a 6-foot quarterback had been one of the game's classic overachievers, clearing one hurdle after another, a journey that included major surgery on his throwing shoulder.

Once more Sunday, he proved to the world, at age 31, he has the credentials of a legend whose impact now carries far beyond someone who throws touchdown passes.
Drew Brees believes in destiny.

He has made all Who Dats believe in magic.

Super Bowl run invigorates New Orleans

The following comes from James Carville on ESPN:

The Who Dat Nation, as the throng of New Orleans Saints fans was affectionately named after Hurricane Katrina by former Saints QB and radio commentator Bobby Hebert, was not only bouncing off the walls following Garrett Hartley's 40-yard overtime field goal that sent our beloved team to the Super Bowl for the first time in the franchise's 43-year less-than-storied history; they were crashing through walls.

To say the city is now buzzing would be a gross understatement. For so long, the Saints organization has been a metaphor for all the ills of New Orleans -- always trying to get over the hump but continually falling a little bit short; a team and a city short on luck.

Actually, that's a friendly assessment of the franchise's existence.

But during this Super Bowl run, the team has become a symbol for not only what can be but also what is. New Orleans is moving. She's recovering.

But the Saints are more than a symbol of or for New Orleans.

With the hundreds of professional franchises and collegiate teams that dominate major and midsize markets, only a few have become one with the city to the average observer. Think Green Bay Packers. When most sports fans or even casual observers think of Green Bay, Wis., the first and last thing that comes to mind is its professional football team. The Packers are synonymous with the city. The same can be said to a large extent with the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Steelers. What this Super Bowl run has done possibly more than anything else is forever link this luck-starved franchise with the city I am now proud to call home. They're one and the same.

For locals, the Saints have been as much a part of the DNA of the city as po-boys or second-line parades or carnival. Maybe that's why most folks here don't flinch at the news that schools are closing Monday regardless of the outcome Sunday night so that students can stay up late to watch the game and take part in a piece of history. Or why the courts will be closed, too -- hey, what judge would be able to find a sober jury?

And win or lose, the city is throwing a team parade through downtown New Orleans on Tuesday. Win or lose. And it shouldn't be any other way in a city where as many tears were shed as beers were drunk less than two weeks ago. Heck, New Orleans is such a Saints-crazy town that the Saints drew an unprecedented 82 market share for the NFC Championship Game versus the Vikings. That means that 82 percent of televisions in operation were tuned to the game, and it even reached 86 percent when Hartley made his now-legendary field goal in overtime.

One of the important things to remember about the link between this city and our team is that anyone who lives in New Orleans now actually had to make the conscious decision to move back or move in; everyone was displaced for some period of time following Hurricane Katrina. And that included the New Orleans Saints. Many of us assumed incorrectly that the team would be headed elsewhere, but maybe the Saints and New Orleans were just meant to be (thanks in part to former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue).

This Saints season has been important to the city for a number of reasons, perhaps the most important being that it gives New Orleanians another opportunity to showcase what's been going on and where we're headed as a city. There was real worry about "Katrina fatigue." The Saints have given us another chance to highlight the progress we've made the and work left to be done.

It's not just politics as usual. New Orleans is on the rebound.

These are exciting times in the Big Easy. New Orleans is nearing 80 percent of its pre-Katrina population. It's likely that a new mayor will be elected Saturday, giving a fresh face to a once-tarnished local government. There is some truth to the notion that the Saints have brought racial tension in the city to what seems an all-time low. The local economy is bearing the recession better than in any city New Orleans' size. And oh yeah, New Orleans is in the Super Bowl. If New Orleanians hope for anything other than a win, it's that maybe you remember why New Orleans was so important to the fabric of our country and why you cheer for underdogs and comebacks.

It's not too late to become a member of The Who Dat Nation or an honorary citizen of New Orleans. It's really one and the same. We're a church of converts. You might not get in the first pew, but you get in. You've just got to believe. Believe that you can be down on your luck but still come back. There's an important message to the youth of the country that could shape a whole generation of people.

This is not just a game, and there is a larger story to be told about a franchise and a city that are now synonymous with one another. Regardless of the outcome, this has been a big win for all New Orleanians. Go Saints! Go New Orleans! Who dat!

NFL Super Bowl Highlights

Saints said they weren't going to be denied

Saints said they weren't going to be denied

Good times roll at Saints victory parade

This comes from Yahoo Sports:

Only a Super Bowl victory parade could upstage Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Carnival floats carrying Saints players, coaches and team owner Tom Benson rolled past tens of thousands of jubilant fans in downtown New Orleans on Tuesday, two days after the 43-year-old franchise won its first NFL championship.

Players, wearing team jerseys instead of traditional Carnival masks and costumes, tossed beads into the crowd and signed autographs for throngs of screaming fans. Benson shouted “Who Dat!” into a microphone from his perch atop a float. Head coach Sean Payton blew kisses and held the Lombardi Trophy over his head.

“Here’s to the best Mardi Gras week in the history of this city,” Payton said, raising a glass of champagne during a toast outside the city’s historic Gallier Hall.

The parade, a week before the city’s signature Fat Tuesday celebration, started outside their home turf at the Louisiana Superdome. Black, gold and white confetti floated over the crowd and a man wearing a Saints jacket held aloft a sign that read, “Happy Lombardi Gras!”

The floats stopped at a reviewing stand so elected officials, including Mayor Ray Nagin, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter, could toast the team’s 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

“How’s the ‘Who Dat’ nation feel tonight?” Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees(notes) yelled when his float stopped at the reviewing stand. “This toast goes out to you. We love you and we won that championship for you.”

Ten Carnival krewes lent floats for the team to ride. More than a dozen marching bands joined the team on its route, which passed by the edge of the French Quarter and ended at the city’s convention center. An official crowd estimate wasn’t immediately available, but many fans said the gathering seemed larger than any during Mardi Gras.

“This is wilder than Mardi Gras,” said Frank V. Smith, 55, a lifelong New Orleans resident who shot photographs of players from the rear of a pickup truck. “I’ve never seen so many people out here like this. This is beautiful, man.”

Shannon Cobb, 28, of Metairie, said the parade was a party with a purpose.

“Everybody is here for one reason: their love for the city and their love for the Saints and to show our appreciation for what they’ve done for us,” she said.

The Super Bowl win, which capped just the ninth winning season in franchise history, was a stunning reversal of fortunes for a team once derided as the “Aints.” Few players could appreciate that better than fan favorite Deuce McAllister(notes), the team’s retired all-time leading rusher who joined the team on the sidelines for the Super Bowl.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” he said Tuesday. “Everywhere you go, you can see the pride in the fans.”

Fans are grateful for more than just the team’s on-field performance. Many members of “Who Dat” nation credit the team with uniting a city that has struggled with racial divisions and labored to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which left about 85 percent of the city underwater in August 2005.

“After the hurricane, people were more willing to come back when they realized the Saints were coming back,” said Scott Catalanotto, 35, whose 7-year-old son sat on a ladder and yelled for beads.

In the French Quarter, thousands streamed toward the parade route, turning Bourbon Street into a river of black and gold.

Will Kaplan, 28, stood out in a billowing white toga with a gold-colored halo and the word “Breesus” on his back.

His Jesus-inspired costume, he said, was made from sheets he had in a FEMA trailer he stayed in after Hurricane Katrina on the University of New Orleans campus.

“I’m the spirit of the party,” he said.

Enduring chilly, windy weather under overcast skies, fans started staking out spots along the parade route more than seven hours before the floats rolled.

Tim Thorn, a 35-year-old landscaper, drove in from Baton Rouge to be among the early birds. He said he gave his daughters, Cameron and Carson, the day off school because the event was too big to miss.

“It’s probably the biggest party in the world,” he said.

Associated Press writer Cain Burdeau and Mary Foster contributed to this report.

Super Bowl Chaplains Help Both Teams

I love stories like this! Can I be a Saints Chaplain!?! The following comes from the Catholic Online:

Sunday’s Super Bowl contenders have been well-coached—both in football and in spiritual fitness. The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints each include a Catholic priest on their chaplaincy rosters, and they have played an instrumental role in helping these conference champions with their life both on and off the field

Fr. Peter Gallagher has ministered to the Colts since 1996, becoming their full-time Catholic chaplain in 2002 in addition to his duties as a parish priest. He celebrates Mass for Catholic players the night before every game, and has at times helped prepare players to receive sacraments. In Miami Fr. Peter will offer an additional Mass for the players’ families on Sunday morning. He will also touch base with each of the Colts’ Catholic players before the game to make sure they are spiritually ready.

Over the years Fr. Peter has seen many players put a high priority on spiritual development, so much so that it has become central to the team’s identity.

“Prayer is a natural habit for this team,” he told Catholic Online. “I have seen them grow in their faith, especially players that have been around for awhile. They have developed a sense of gratitude to God for all they have accomplished.” Fr. Gallagher said that veterans have provided mentorship for younger players, and have talked to them about how to prepare for the high pressure, temptation-laden experience that has become the Super Bowl. Their message is to stay focused on the game alone, and to avoid the surrounding distractions and temptations.

Fr. Gallagher says that paramount in the Colts’ spiritual preparation for the Super Bowl is the realization that when all is said and done football is a game, and win or lose, life is going to continue with its higher challenges and expectations. Preparation for those battles is more important than training for gridiron glory, and Fr. Gallagher is a key player in those efforts.

Likewise the New Orleans Saints are blessed with a Catholic priest to guide them on their faith journey. Fr. R. Tony Ricard has ministered to the Saints since 1999, becoming their full-time Catholic chaplain the following year while also pastoring a parish. He celebrates Mass the night before every home game and tends to players’ spiritual needs. Growing up as a Saints fan, he began to see at an early age the spiritual lessons that can be drawn from football.

Fr. Tony told ESPN of his outrage at seeing Saints fans wearing bags on their heads during the dismal 1-15 campaign in 1980. “I thought it was such a disgrace,” he said. “We all have people in our family who we don’t want to be associated with, but do you wear a bag over your head at the family reunion?”

Fr. Tony sees the need for players to discern the true purpose of life amidst an atmosphere of temporary fame and fortune. “When all that is gone, that is when they have those great falls” he told ESPN. “I just hope I helped them at some phase find a connection between the great blessings that they received from God and how they’re called to use them not only on the field but their entire lives.”

Only one of these teams will walk away with the Lombardi trophy on Sunday night. But thanks to the work of dedicated chaplains like Fr. Peter and Fr. Tony, both the Colts and the Saints will have a greater prize to cherish forever.

Saints QB Drew Brees on his place in New Orleans

Saints QB Drew Brees on his place in New Orleans