THE MOST IMPORTANT WIN IN NFL HISTORY
I’ve never paid a visit to the city of New Orleans but I can imagine how everyone is feeling in the last 24 hours. This city has gone through so much in the last few years. I remember watching news coverage of Hurricane Katrina and watch our government treat their own citizens like dogs that are about to be put away. Innocent adults and children figuring out a way to get out of flood waters, holding signs on top of roofs and asking for help, everybody hungry and thirsty and we couldn’t give them the food and water they need, no medicine to help the elderly, and homes were just destroyed. I still can’t believe it took days until we gave those people what they need. The great people of New Orleans put their faith in two things, God and the New Orleans Saints. They look for God to give them spiritual strength and for the Saints to give them at least three hours out of their day to forget about the pain they have suffered and bring joy in their lives. Last night, the joy of that city was so unreal.
Everyone in New Orleans and all over the country sat and watched the most watched television program in history. The Saints beat Peyton Manning and the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Let me say that again, “The Saints have won the Super Bowl.” I never thought I would ever say those words. I’m sure at the end of the first half nobody’s heads were down when the Saints trailed 10-6, but it was the start of the second half that changed everything in the game. Saints coach Sean Payton decided to go for an onside kick and I couldn’t believe it. Saints kicker Tom Morestead kicks the ball 12 yards, then bounces off Colts wide receiver Hank Baskett’s hands and Saints safety Chris Reis falls on the ball to give the Saints possession. On the first possession of the half, Drew Brees lead a six-play drive that led to a 16-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas to give the Saints a 13-10 lead. Then Peyton Manning led his Colts to a 10-play, 76 yard drive when Joseph Addai ran in a tough four-yard touchdown to put the Colts back up 17-13. Do you think that stop anybody in New Orleans for losing faith, of course not.
In the fourth quarter, the Saints trailed 17-16 and nothing was going to stop this team from their destiny. Drew led his team to a 59 yards to the Colts 2-yard line. Then he threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey to take a 22-17 lead. When they went for a two-point conversion, I thought it was the right decision. You have to do what it takes to beat the so-called greatest quarterback in the NFL. I’m glad that Lance Moore incomplete pass was overturned because I knew he crossed the line and extended the lead to a touchdown. With 5:42 left in the game, Peyton had a chance to tie the game and possibly send this game to overtime. I’ll be honest, I thought he was about to show why he’s one of the best QBs in the business, but on third and five on the Saints 31, a Saint cornerback gave the city of New Orleans the right to party. Peyton threw it to Reggie Wayne but Tracy picked him off and ran it back for 74 yards to give his team a 31-17 lead. Then when Peyton failed to cut the lead to seven, the celebration began.
The Saints and the people of New Orleans won the Super Bowl. This win means so much for those people who have or not yet recovered from that terrible hurricane. I saw everyone at Bourbon Street full of joy and they just rejoiced at the fact that 53-men in NFL uniforms brought the city hope and things will get better. For the next two weeks, we’ll see a Saints Super Bowl parade and Mardi Gras in that city. Believe me when I tell you, this city will celebrate this championship for the rest of their lives. If Drew and President Barack Obama were in the same city, Drew would be the icon and Obama would just be another public figure. This day will live in hearts and minds of everyone forever. Schools and businesses were closed the day after the Super Bowl because this is the day to celebrate. You tell me this victory wasn’t important?
