New Orleans Saints are the soul of America's City

"Shockey used to live upstairs," Besh jokes, laughing. "We're glad he's gone. We kept losing hostesses."

I know this has already been posted but this is a must read for Saints fans.

3 months ago Saintsational 24 comments 11 recs |

Comments

Agreed

and rec’d. This has to be one of THE best articles I have ever read about not only the Saints, but New Orleans and the people of the region.

by BayouRebel on Dec 17, 2009 8:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I second that!

I missed that the first time around and appreciate you posting that again. Awsome article! Makes me want to jump the next flight. Unfortunately, that does´nt work.

by shecky on Dec 17, 2009 11:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was able to see the first post-Katrina Superdome game on TV over here.

Yea, I cried. But, what supprised me was a couple of my buddies were tearing up also. The entire nation knew what this game meant to the team, the Fans, New Orleans, and the entire Gulf Coast.

That will continue to be the most stirring, emotional football game I will have ever seen!!! Shit, I’m tearing up just writing this and remembering.

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers

If we're not suppose to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

by Just 'Nother Day on Dec 18, 2009 3:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

will always be the most memorable for me too. My mom has been a die-hard Saints fan since day one, and my sister gave my mom a season ticket every year. That first game back in the dome against the Falcons, on Sept 25, 06, was on my mom’s 72nd birthday. It meant so much to her to be able to be at that game, and all the home games during that “magical” 06 season, as health issues have prevented her from being able to go to the dome again since the 06 season. Now she is 75 and her legs can’t take the long walks to get to the games, so she watches them on tv. As excited as she is, just like the rest of us, during this undefeated run, and possible run to the superbowl, the game that will always be most special to her will be her birthday game of 06 and the Saints return to the Dome.

by BayouRebel on Dec 18, 2009 6:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You want to know something? I barely remember that game

After the blocked punt, I was on cloud 10. The rest of the game was a blur. A very loud blur, yes…but still a blur.

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Dec 18, 2009 8:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Same here. It actually wasn’t all that memorable of a game, outside of the blocked punt and all the festivities outside the Dome prior to kickoff. I remember watching the Goo Goo Dolls … and commenting on the freakish shade of green of the new Momentum turf … the U2 and Green Day thing … the new light up panels around the perimeter of the terrace … which seemed painfully borrowed from the Arena next door … the energy … the block … and then it’s just another Saints game.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 18, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

“around the perimeter of the terrace”

Make that the plaza.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 18, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny

me too. I remember U2, Green Day, the blocked punt, jumping up and down…then nothing. Just pure joy.

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by Saintsational on Dec 18, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not only in New Orleans

I live north of Kansas City,Missouri and every Saints fan I know is in some sort of strange,euphoric mood that transcends the normal “my team is kickin’ ass’”thing that happens during a great season.These people are uplifted,for want of a better term.My son,who has been a Saints fan since he was five years old,has gone from being the surliest 17-year old on the planet to a nice affable guy.When he talks about the team,there’s a light in his eyes.It’s almost mystical,the way he talks about his team.There is a strangeness about Saints fan that’s kind of scary and amazing at the same time.

by LodeRunner on Dec 18, 2009 4:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Enjoyable article, but a little too high society for most Saints fans to relate to, I think. I’ve personally never been to any of the so-called “best” restaurants in the city, never rubbed elbows with the Benson-LeBlancs or sipped team in the Monteleone. To me, the spirit of the city is found supporting a team through thick and thin, not just reveling in their rebirth and/or glory. I realize the writer attempted to touch upon the other side of the coin in his ever-so-brief mention of Carver High School students, but the vast majority of the article seemed to be through the eyes of the well-to-do. Maybe that’s reflective of New Orleans in and of itself. Always masquerading as something we’re not. This is a working, middle class city, for all intents and purposes. I just wish the media would stop gravitating to these ridiculous doom-or-gloom social extremes in the way they paint our picture.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 18, 2009 7:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I heard the author doing an interview on ESPN Radio yesterday about his article, and he said that when he was asked how the city was doing, his response was,“Anywhere you’ve ever been is fine.” Not that that statement is inaccurate or hiding a crater with a throw rug or anything, but I do think it accurately illustrates his point of view.

I liked the article. It was a pleasant kind of fluff. But I didn’t exactly “relate” to most of the ground-level experiences he was talking about either. And I’ve never been to anywhere he suggested as the “best” restaurants, either, except Galatoire’s. My experience there was not like his, but it was a lovely restaurant. My plate had a lemon wedge neatly bundled in a pouch of cheesecloth on it. Classy.

He made some nice points about substantive differences between this team and others before it. Bobby Hebert and Stan Brock lived in a fancy neighborhood in the town I grew up in, which was across the lake. It’s a small thing, but the team leaders actually being a part of the New Orleans community is kind of a cool development in the team’s relationship with the city. Would’ve been nice if he had gotten out of Uptown himself, and visited Mid City or Kenner or Bucktown for a bit.

New Orleans is kind of like if Las Vegas and Kingston boned, then Las Vegas abandoned Kingston with the baby. It grew up knowing it was an heir to great pageantry and excess, but it was still actually located in just a pretty fun slum.

"Think about that statement and all its implications for a second. The New England Patriots did not play up to the level of the New Orleans Saints." -Pat Yasinskas

by FuSoYa on Dec 18, 2009 9:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like that more of the players are starting to reside in the city proper, as well. Most are still in Ormond Estates (Destrehan), which isn’t exactly congruent with the town they’re paid to represent. I don’t have any qualms with that. I just find it odd how New Orleans is always either this festive, carefree jazz funeral-attending melting pot … or it’s the crime capital of the free world. You either see it through the eyes of a tourist or a drug dealer. There’s virtually no middle ground. And probably 95% of the metro area thrives off of that day-to-day, “behind the scenes” as it were, middle ground. As far as restaurants go, the fanciest place I’ve probably ever eaten here is either Tujague’s or Ruth’s Chris. Swirly plate decorations, tiny portions and exquisitely folded napkins just don’t do it for me. Even if the food danced on my plate and made me orgasm as I bit into it, I can’t see paying that much more for an entree. I’d rather hit up Rocky & Carlo’s, Port of Call, Charlie’s, Ye Olde College Inn … anywhere where I can wear sneakers and a ballcap and just be myself. Save the dollar sign cufflinks and valet parking for Richie Rich. I want a laid back atmosphere, good conversation and a full belly. If for some reason that doesn’t impress the chick I’m with, it’s probably not going to work out anyway.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 18, 2009 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Liuzza’s too. Love that place.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 18, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

THAT is the best oyster poboy in the city

And they still sell(or did up until a year ago, when I was there) the little 7 ounce pony bottles of High Life. I love those for some reason. Anyway, that place is awesome.

"Think about that statement and all its implications for a second. The New England Patriots did not play up to the level of the New Orleans Saints." -Pat Yasinskas

by FuSoYa on Dec 18, 2009 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. I dig the frosted fishbowl goblets they serve their beverages in. Even though most of them look like they’ve been through both Betsy and Katrina.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 23, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

While I agree that it’s generally too high-society, there is this bit:

The players know that you get roast beef po-boys at Domilise’s and that you get fried oyster po-boys at Parkway.

The soul of New Orleans...
Go Ducks, Geaux Tigers, Go Braves, Go Hornets, and most of all WHO DAT!
Yeah, that's two college teams. I don't care. Go Huskers, too.

by AllSaintsDay on Dec 21, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve never even heard of either one of those places. Unless, he means Parkway Tavern, in which case I didn’t know they served po boys. Are these casual dining establishments?

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 23, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Parkway at the end of Bayou St. John? I didn’t think it was possible to go there and not know they had po-boys. Domilise’s is on Bellecastle near Tchoupitoulas.
They’re as casual as any place I’ve ever gotten a po-boy. (Except maybe Parasol’s)

The soul of New Orleans...
Go Ducks, Geaux Tigers, Go Braves, Go Hornets, and most of all WHO DAT!
Yeah, that's two college teams. I don't care. Go Huskers, too.

by AllSaintsDay on Dec 26, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs