January 24, 2010

31-28 Saints: A Reason to Believe

Well, the New Orleans Saints are going to the Super Bowl. At this moment, fans still linger at the stadium, not yet ready or willing to depart from the site of victory. Bourbon Street is saturated and pulsing. Here in Lafayette, just outside our house, neighbors are shooting off fireworks and lighting up the streets. State-wide ecstasy. Why? Or, more specifically, why am I ecstatic, too?

Because this state has needed some victory. We've needed something to be proud of. We've needed a moment of strength.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always seen Louisiana in the bottom of every prosperity list (education, economy), and in the top of every undesirable list (crime rate, corruption). At times, we've come close to some kind of redemption, but we've never, ever quite gotten there.

And of course, there was Katrina. In every aspect, that hurricane changed the face of our state. We took a blow on every side: loss of life, loss of property, loss of face, loss of morale. New Orleans was the epicenter of the damage, but the tremors reverberated beyond our state's borders.

Tonight, what drew me to stand with our Saints was not statistics or a long love affair with football. It wasn't peer pressure or duty. It was the sense of hope and unity that's swept over this place.

Everywhere I go, I see the fleur-de-lis. I see black and gold. I see people of all ages and walks of life pressing their shoulders behind our team. Something to stand for. Something to believe in.

I always thought I'd be the last person in the world to wax sentimental about football, but...it's happened. The people of Louisiana touched my heart today, and the Saints are carrying it with them to Miami.

Geaux Saints! We believe!!!

7 comments:

  1. Congrats to all Saints fans and Louisianans. You've been through a lot - paper bags over your heads and devastating Hurricanes. But now you're the new "America's Team". Even Jimmy Johnson has said so.
    TK

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  2. Wow! "America's Team"! Didn't see that coming in a million years! Thanks for the virtual high-five, Tim! I have a feeling we're going to be celebrating a long time!

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  3. It's great you have something to hang your pride hat on! I've always found it cool how many non-sports fans love to watch championship series. Team spirit can be pretty infectious.

    And after your previous post, I'm glad you wrote about football. I had absolutely nothing to say after that one...thank goodness. :)

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  4. Hey there! Thanks for your comment on my blog! I know there are women out there in my same situation, but it's always nice to hear it from someone :) Last night was amazing!!! I can't believe the saints did it. It's like a dream come true! I look forward to reading more of your blog :)

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  5. You put the feeling into words perfectly; it was a beautiful moment that gave a feeling of being united with other hopeful hearts across the state. :)

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  6. Hey they won! Nice to see something good happen there!

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  7. Congrats on having a champion team!
    Denise

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