The Who Dat Nation Wins

Sure, the Saints lost the playoff game against the Vikings last Sunday, but winning rarely teaches us about the character of a person, a team or a place. Most of us don’t really know who or what we are until we’re faced with failure. As an actor, my life has been nearly defined by rejection. My life credo has long been “Dare To Fail.” Maybe that’s why being a Saints fan has come so easy to me. So, the Saints lost in the last millisecond of the game and, of course, we’re all disappointed. But Saints fans can turn any loss into a win.

Though I have roots reaching back centuries in this city, I didn’t move here until 2009 as the Saints were heading to their amazing Super Bowl victory. That made me more of a “New Dat” than a Who Dat. But I watched every game in bars throughout the city,

Treme does Mardi Gras and Geaux Saints!

First things first – Who Dat!?! It was like it ought be in the Superdome Monday night. The Saints beat the Eagles, keeping our play-off hopes alive for another week. Quarterback Drew Brees has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 51 straight games which breaks yet another NFL record. The one advantage to not having season tickets is that we meet new people every game. At this game to our right, a great gang of football-loving young men. To our left, 3 women over 60, including one over 80. Yep, some women go to the Saints games, not to appease their husbands, but to get a “girl’s night out.” SO many women attend the games. In fact, the demographics of the Dome aren’t so very different than those of our area – men and women from baby to death’s door in an array of skin shades.

Saints Game at the Dome – 5 Year Homecoming Anniversary

Today, I went to the Superdome to see my beloved Saints play the Texans. It’s been 5 years since the September 25, 2006 Saints/Falcons game, the first game played in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina made it a symbol of suffering and shuttered its gates. It was called “Coming Home” day and it was more than just a game. Throughout this past weekend, footage of that game replayed on the TV and I heard stories from grocery store clerks and French Quarter residents all emphasizing the same thing – the noise. The Superdome is well known as one of the loudest venues in the NFL with crowds’ cheers drowning out the opponents voices as they try to yell out their calls so I was surprised to hear that one day was louder than the rest – and it wasn’t the Vikings game that secured our place in the Superbowl in 2009. I was intrigued.

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.

Saints Fever and free samples

The Saints have never played in the Super Bowl. Ever. The Vikings have played in 4 Super Bowls, but they haven’t ever won. Viking fans have started pouring into town for the game this Sunday.