By Alex
Saints, pick any of your choice, weren’t exactly keeping an eye out for its football club over the years. Even they, it seems, felt powerless to help a hapless organization moving along in a haze. In 1980, following 14 straight losses fans were calling their team the Aints and showed their displeasure by pioneering wearing paper bags over their heads.
Since 1967 the New Orleans Saints have compiled a .421 winning percentage during the regular season. Prior to this season, they made just eight post-season trips with a 2-6 record. In a football made state, these weren’t flattering numbers.
But that’s all in the past now. Under head coach Sean Payton, the Saints are 14 games above .500 and most important, have a Super Bowl title to their name following a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts. So much so that all Saints fans can do is but look to the future. And why not? With this core group led by QB Drew Brees, this team (in theory anyway) should be an NFC power for a few years to come. Even in a parity-driven era, it’s possible to carve a dynasty – just ask the New England Patriots – and fans believe their once anemic club can do just that.
In the context of their history, sure, the victory was improbable. But no more improbable than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning the Super Bowl. In the context of the last few years and especially this season, there’s nothing to be surprised about. The Saints were the best team in the NFC (although the Minnesota Vikings may want to dispute this) and entire NFL all season long. Indeed, the best two teams in football met in the finals and quite frankly, it was nearly impossible to pick a winner either way prior to the game they were so evenly matched.
This time around the Saints were smiling and sprinkling glory upon New Orleans. And don’t bet against the Colts making another trip to the Super Bowl before Peyton Manning’s career is over. Don’t be deterred by the predictable debates about his legacy and his mediocre playoff record. Manning, truly one of the all-time great quarterbacks has plenty of time to work on that.
Much has been written and said and sung about the plight of the people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. It really is a remarkable story that rising from the ashes a football team in a sport so revered would signal a renaissance for the city. Mark this victory down for the ages. A team that will go down in traditional sports lore never to be forgotten by a people and perhaps a nation and yes, a continent filled with football fans.
