You Can Host It, But You Can’t Come. Who Dat?
BY RICK TITTLE
The World Champion New Orleans Saints. It sounds weird, right? It’s like hearing the phrases "Soviet Premier Ronald Reagan" or "NBA Champion Los Angeles Clippers." But it’s real, and it’s highly deserved. Say it again, just to get used to it. World Champion New Orleans Saints.
The defeat of the Indianapolis Colts and their All-World quarterback Peyton Manning was truly remarkable. Down 10-0 in the first quarter, the Saints could have folded up their tents and got their golf bags out. Instead they threw caution to the wind, going for it on fourth down and succeeding at an onsides kick. I wrote last week that the last time New Orleans defeated such a massive foe was in 1814, and the parallels are there to be seen.
Jim Caldwell played the part of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. After seeing off Napoleon (the Jets) from Spain, he sent his brother-in-law, General Packenham (Peyton Manning) to win a war already lost. You could say that Andrew Jackson (Sean Payton) had a perfect response to a far-superior enemy, as his charges passed and intercepted their way to glory. The establishment is now turned on its head. The Saints have come marching in.
This is the first time I can remember a whole nation (well, outside of Indiana) rooting for one team in the Super Bowl. Even people who don’t like sports were pulling for New Orleans to win. The natural disaster on the Gulf Coast some four years ago galvanized the country in sympathy and support for that ravaged area. Beyond that, the ‘Aints have spent most of their existence being in other teams’ highlights. They have pretty much always stunk. Yet this is the city that has hosted many Super Bowls. You can host it, but you can’t come – this was the message until 2010.
So get merry during Mardi Gras. Have some gumbo and get fat on Fat Tuesday. Sip some bourbon on Bourbon Street. Your time in the sun has arrived. Winter? It has never been warmer in the Big Easy. Who dat?
Rick Tittle can be reached at
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