The Saints go marching on
By Brian Baker (Written for Replay Magazine)
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans like Lawrence Taylor and Gary Reasons walloped Joe Theismann in that infamous 1985 Monday Night Football telecast. Both the city of New Orleans and the legendary Redskins quarterback were left fractured, battered and bruised. The only difference is New Orleans still mourns the devastation left in Katrina's wake.
Heroes - saintly heroes - are what the city needs these days. The people of New Orleans need their faith restored, and what better way to do it than through a venerable American pastime: football.
"The team went through a lot of the same challenges that the resident of New Orleans went through. Just in terms of having to adjust to different surroundings, make sacrifices, and to deal with the situation the best that they could on all levels," said Justin Macione, public relations manager for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
After closing the 2005 preseason with a game against the Oakland Raiders, Saints wide receiver Joe Horn planned to leave for Houston, Tex. to help a refugee family.
"It's not just the people in the Astrodome, there are people in hotel rooms, 12 at a time with families piled on top of families and they won't have the financial means," said Horn, who also offered to help other stranded families.
Horn is not the only player being a community leader and hero. Many have continued their efforts as the city still lies in ruin, especially in areas such as the Ninth Ward.
Newcomer Drew Brees, along with wife Brittany and running back Deuce McAllister, have put forth the effort to raise funds for he children affected by Hurricane Katrina. It is an extension of their community work with the Brees Dream Foundation. They have organized a benefit called "Cocktails for Katrina," which coincides with the team's return to the Louisiana Superdome.
Heisman Trophy-highlight Reggie Bush is another player assuming a virtuous stature, helping raise much-needed funds in New Orleans. The second overall draft pick donated $50,000 to Holy Rosary High School, and partnered with Adidas to donate $86,000 to Tad Gormley Stadium. The move adds artificial turf to the playing field and makes sure that local high school kids have a place to play football. Bush's saintly deeds spurred a New Orleans priest to nickname the rookie "St. Reginald" for his charitable acts.
No act of kindness was too small, as tight end Ernie Conwell even replaced a groom-to-be's lost engagement ring.
"Everybody in the organization from ownership to players, coaches and staff has been committed to the cause," Macione told Replay.
On the field, the Saints organization has undergone some major changes to both the roster and the coaching staff. Gone are former head coach Jim Haslett, now defensive coordinator for St. Louis; quarterback Aaron Brooks, now in Oakland; on the player side, center LeCharles Bentley, a newly minted Brown is now sitting out the season in Cleveland with a knee injury, and tackle Wayne Gandy was traded to Atlanta.
Arriving for this season will be head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees (who inked a team-record six-year, $60-million contract), Reggie Bush and veteran safety Omar Stoutmire.
With a more patient quarterback, the star rookie Bush, and a coaching change, the reborn Saints are hoping to win big not only just for the New Orleans community, but the entire recuperating Gulf Coast region, from Pensacola, Florida to Lake Charles, Louisiana to Jackson, Mississippi. The team even held their training camp for this upcoming season at Millsaps College in Jackson.
"[The organization] is really making an effort to promote themselves as a Gulf Coast team," said Macione.
New Orleans, though, remains the undisputed home of the Saints. Due to the team's homelessness throughout last season - most home games were played in either Baton Rouge or San Antonio - and the uncertainty about long-term success in New Orleans led to a relocation controversy.
Macione quickly dispelled any thoughts on the Saints organization leaving the city of New Orleans. "Our owner [Tom Benson] never said he was going to do that. His intentions were to return back to New Orleans in October."
As for the once-affiliated Louisiana Superdome, its roof was rebuilt and ready for the triumphant home opener against Michael Vick and the Falcons, with additional repairs to be completed throughout the season. New changes to the Superdome are the expansion of the video replay boards in both end zones to meet widescreen proportions, new seating in the "Club Sideline" areas, new concession stands, and a video "ribbon" along the sections facing the playing field.
Benson, who will foot the bill for at least part of the $185 million in repairs, emphasized the Saints' return as a boost for the devastated region at large.
"It's going to be something that is really going to inspire the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast and show the country what we have done and we are going to continue to do."
Unlike the hit that ended Joe Theismann's career as leading passer in the NFL, Hurricane Katrina has not finished off the New Orleans Saints. It is not going to be easy in the Big Easy, but the Saints already have something the city needs - a little faith.