Saints in the Zone

The Saints are 3 and 0 and it feels good. After 2 nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat  last minute wins, this week was a welcome landslide victory over the Cardinals. Things started with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by my Django Unchained costar, Dana Gourrier. Storm predications led to lots of seats up for grabs so we got to watch from the 17th row – practically on the field. There were plenty of touchdowns and most of them were just yards away. Even quarterback Drew Brees made a touchdown.

Gumbo Contest Judging

Those of us lucky enough to be raised by generations of Louisiana folk have been brought up eating gumbo. Yesterday, I took lucky to another level when I was asked to be a judge at Valero‘s annual fundraising event benefitting several local charities. Valero raised awareness and over a million dollars for organizations like Second Harvest and Special Olympics with their “Valero’s Got Talent” theme. When I arrived, blue-jumpsuited workers were milling around the gumbo tent sampling more than a dozen offerings. I joined judges Joseph Grey of Don’s Seafood and Ryan Gall, Executive Chef at TPC Louisiana as well as Eliza Eugene, who partners with Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (frequently found in the endzone at Saints games) in Eugene Colston Realty.

New Year’s and the Saints at the Dome!

I didn’t bring my camera to the fireworks this year. I figure most major cities put on a fairly good display, though ours is shot off a barge over the mighty Mississippi, reflecting on the ever-flowing surface. And maybe other cities don’t have as many people wearing tuxedoes and top hats or costumes or beads or drag. But, the one thing I know your celebration didn’t have was Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs playing in front of Jackson Square. I love that celebrations here almost always include horns and drums.

Why I love the Saints (and you could too)

Everyone loves underdogs, unlikely heros and moments of glory. They tickle the part of us that whispers, “I believe.” They show us that anything can happen. Pigs can fly, hell can freeze over, the Saints can win the Super Bowl. And since anything can happen, maybe they can even win it twice. Who Dat? 2 Dat. Believe Dat!

I’ve blogged a few times about “Why Football Matters,” but I haven’t talked about why the Saints matter. As we once again secure our place in the play-offs by defeating longtime-rivals Atlanta Falcons (ending their 8 game winning streak as well as their 2 year home game winning streak), I am again reminded of all the Saints have battled and how their band of “lesser” draft choices and flat out rejects have become an international symbol for the city’s resilience and indomitable spirit.