Saints 27, Eagles 24

Archie Manning. Tommy Myers. Danny Abramiwicz. Chuck Muncie. Wes Chandler. Guido Merkens. New Orleans Saints, all.

In the late 1970s and early 80s, my Sundays were consumed watching these football players…my heroes. (I even chose 8 as my number in sports because it was Archie’s number.) I got the NFL kids football uniform one Christmas with Archie’s jersey and the helmet, pads and pants. I spent hours rolling around in my yard, throwing passes to myself and imagining winning the Super Bowl.

People used to ask/tease me about the Saints when I would travel and tell them I was from New Orleans. I’d get a look of sympathy and “oh”. (Same thing happens when I say I am a Cubs fan…you just know the look.)

I am not a season ticket holder. I’ve probably been to 20 or so games at the Superdome over the years. That’s not many. But I ‘ve watched them on television every chance I get, even when they broke my heart. And they found some interesting and creative ways to do that over the years.

I had a bad feeling (before Hurricane Katrina) the franchise would be moved to San Antonio or elsewhere. I really believe the team was going to be moved. I am so glad former (NFL) commisioner Paul Tagliabue took a stand early after Katrina that the Saints would stay in New Orleans.

Critics rightfully ask about the money spent to restore the Superdome. A lot of money was spent on that project which could have been allocated elsewhere. (I am not sure of the next fact but I think the Saints may be the biggest revenue generating business in New Orleans. Thats’ another reason it is good that they stay…it is an economic thing.)

Last season (right after Katrina) was a tough one to endure. 3 wins, 13 losses. That’s bad by any standards but it was even rougher to watch after Katrina.

This football season has been a different story. I think 28 of the 53 players on the Saints roster are new. The head coach is new. New attitude. New Orleans. New day.

This past Saturday I was speaking at a confirmation retreat in Miami. I couldn’t believe I would be speaking when the Saints would be playing the biggest football game in the franchise’s 40-year history!

I snuck to a TV at every possible free moment I had (with permission). It was so rough to pop in and out…and even rougher to listen to the last few minutes on the radio (including the Reggie Bush fumble and Eagles 4th down coversion–later called back because of a penalty). When Deuce McAlister gained a first down in the last two minutes to seal the game, it was amazing…even on the radio. I ran up to my room to watch what I could of the FOX TV coverage. My heart was full. I paced around that hotel room and was “jacked up” like I haven’t been in some time.

That’s a Saints game for you. A rollercoaster of emotions. (I sense my heart is in good shape and I may have even survived my heart attack in 2002 because of all the ups and downs of watching Saints games regularly.)

Now you might think it’s silly to get so emotionally connected to something like a sports team or a game. Let me try to explain.

I read a magazine article many years ago where the author said that many of New Orleans woes were connected with its love affair with the ‘loveable-loser’ Saints. The city’s self-esteem, he opined, was affected by the years and years of being a loser.

You really can tell the mood of the city for the week by what happened with the Saints on any given Sunday. A lot of cities can say that’s true for them, but there is something deep about the Saints in the lifeblood of New Orleans.

This season has been a shot in the arm for the city, region and state. Governor Kathleen Blanco has said so…so has the Archbishop of New Orleans.

In an article from the Associated Press:
Archbishop Alfred Hughes even made a few mentions of the Saints at Mass on Sunday morning. As he chatted with people in Jackson Square afterward, several asked him to pray for the Saints.
‘In a city that has experienced so much devastation, so much loss, so much struggle in the recovery, in many ways, the football team has become a symbol of people’s desire to rise from the devastation…it’s touched the hearts and stirred hope for people that we too can come together and play as a team.’

The symbol or logo of the Saints (and the city of New Orleans) is the Fleur-de-lis. The Easter Lily. The flower of Louis, King of France. In Christian circles, the fleur-de-lis is a symbol of the resurrection. New life. Hope.

I have a few pieces of Saints’ gear and caps. Among my favorites are two tee shirts. One is a white tee…gold lettering…black trim…FAITH (with the fleur-de-lis within the “A”). The other is a fund raiser done by Reebok immediately after Katrina; it’s a black tee, gold lettering with the invitation: “BE A SAINT.”

Yes, I will be wearing those shirts a lot this week. Yes, I will be yelling like a maniac in front of a TV screen somewhere at 2 pm next Sunday when we go to the cold Soldier Field in Chicago. And not just because it’s a ‘feel good’ story.

This has been a LONG time coming…and I will enjoy it. Win or lose. GO SAINTS! And if we go the Super Bowl, the “happy dance” will be in full effect.

(Now I just gotta wait for the Cubs.)