The greatest sports story of this decade belongs to the New Orleans Saints. No other professional team, regardless of its league had to endure the level of scrutiny that the Black and Gold has. Prior to the 2000 season, the Saints were known around the NFL as the Aints! Disgraced fans attended games with large paper bags on their heads to hide their faces, a host of their games were blacked out and, talented players were reluctant to play for the organization.
Coach Jim Haslett brought the Saints into the 20th century with Jeff Blake, Ricky Williams, and Joe Horn as the leaders of the team. During the up and down season, Jeff Blake was knocked out in the 11th game with a broken foot, Blake was immediately replaced by a guy very few people outside of Virginia knew named Aaron Brooks. Brooks led the Saints to a 3-2 finish, and a wild card berth. Brooks extraordinary play won over the fans, as he guided the team to the their first playoff win against the defending champions, the St. Louis Rams. Unfortunately, for Brooks the Saints were upended by the Minnesota Vikings the following the week.
The following season the Saints did not make the playoffs despite beating the eventual or predestined Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Buccaneers. In addition, team owner Tom Benson fired former executive of the year Randy Mueller. As a Saints fan this was the type of corruption that plagued our beloved team, and tainted our spirits. Nonetheless, the Saints finished the Jim Haslett era by missing the playoffs the following two seasons, finishing 8-8 in 2003, and 2004. In 2005, Haslett was released in week 3, and the Saints went on to finish 3-13. Despite the records set by Aaron Brooks and the minimal success he achieved as the Saints quarterback he’d quickly become the villain and was released in 2005 as well. This by far was the most trying time as a Saints fan and South Louisiana residents, because Hurricane Katrina changed our lives forever.
Hurricane Katrina ravished the states along the Gulf Shore, crippling New Orleans, and causing our beloved Saints to play every game on their schedule away from home. In fact, they played one home game at Giants Stadium, against the Giants, with the remainder of their home games being split between The Alamo Dome in San Antonio, TX, and Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. The Superdome was used as a shelter for those left in the city, and unfortunately for some, the Super Dome became their deathbed. After the mayhem in the Super Dome subsided, people began to move forward and Tom Benson expressed his desire to move the team elsewhere. This uncertainty put the Who Dat Nation in dismay, and caused a big uproar. The relocation controversy got extremely messy for all involved parties, and forced Governor Kathleen Blanco, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and Tom Benson to agree to terms that will keep the Saints in New Orleans for a long time.
On January 17, 2006 the Saints hired Sean Peyton as their new head coach, and signed quarterback Drew Brees on March 14, 2006. After the $185 million dollar renovations were completed to the New Orleans Superdome, and the 2006 schedule was released the Saints quickly sold out every home game for the first time in franchise history. On September 25, 2006 the Saints played their home opener against the Atlanta Falcons and beat them on national television 23-3. In fact, ESPN deemed the broadcast as their highest rated program ever. ESPN recorded an estimated 10,850,000 homes viewed the game, with an 11.8 rating. The game had more viewers than any other show on television that night, and was deemed the second highest rated cable program ever. In 2007 ESPN rewarded the Saints with an ESPY award for “The Best Moment in Sports”.
Later that year the Saints clinched their first division title, and earned a first round bye for the first time in team history. After beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Day, the Saints were defeated in the NFC Championship game by soon to be World Champs Chicago Bears. In 2007 the Saints sold out every home game again, but finished the season 7-9. In 2008 the Saints did not make the playoffs for the second consecutive year due to a lack luster performance by their defense. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 5,068 yards, falling just 16 yards short of Dan Marino’s single season record of 5084 yards, and Wide-out Lance Moore finished the season with 928 yards just 72 yards short of 1000.
In the Saints 20O9-2010 campaign, they started the season 13-0 and recorded the longest winning streak in team history. Two weeks later the New Orleans Saints loss to the underachieving Dallas Cowboys sparking a three game losing streak to end the season. On their path to the Super Bowl the Saints beat three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in consecutive games. Reggie Bush put on a memorable show against the Arizona Cardinals as he rushed for 84 yards rushing on five carries including a 46-yard touchdown run, and a pivotal 83-yard punt return for a score. His heroism combined with great offensive execution and a stifling defense, gave the Saints a 45-14 victory over Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals.
The following week, the Saints shocked the NFL again, by pulverizing Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints defense pounded Brett Favre as every snapped he took virtually forcing him into submission. Yet, Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings continued to fight and nearly won the game. However, costly turnovers from Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and Brett Favre ended the Vikings hope. The Saints won the game in overtime when Garret Hartley nailed a 40-yard field goal with 10:15 left on the clock.
On Sunday February 8th, 2010, the nation witnessed the greatest sports story of the decade unfold. My New Orleans Saints altered the fate of their 43 yr. ole history by beating the heavenly favored Indianapolis Colts. After falling behind by a 10-point deficit, the most courageous play in Super Bowl history was perfected. Sean Payton instructed kicker Garret Hartley to execute a low percentage onside – kick, and Hartley nailed it. Not only did he catch the Colts off guard, but also the 74,000 in attendance and the millions watching at home. Everyone was stunned! The execution of this play sparked a rally that no Colt fan could foresee. The Saints scored 31 points, capped off by Tracy Porters game winning interception of Peyton Manning.
In conclusion, the city of New Orleans, the people of Louisiana, and the residents of the Gulf Coast had been waiting 43 years to celebrate as champions, and we did in every facet of the word. We partied for about two months straight. The New Orleans Saints are a staple in the community, and we the people feel a special connection with our team. They lean on us for inspiration, and we lean on them for motivation. They have helped eased the aftermath of Katrina, and provided the region with an economic boost. Between the two neighboring cities New Orleans and Baton Rouge, both are listed in the top 25 as two of the most dangerous cities in the country. However, both cities have seen making the top 25 list. However, both cities seen a brief decrease in crime after the championship season. I could go on and on about the Saints, and how we celebrated after the victory, but that would make this story extremely long. So remember this, February 2, 2010 is the day that the Saints became America’s team.
References:
Flint, J. Saints' Super Bowl win nips 'MASH' finale for most-watched show ever. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved: July 10, 2011
gawker.com/5695776/the-25-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-us-are-mostly-nice-places
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