New Orleans Prepares for a Black and Gold Super Bowl

New Orleans is a city that has suffered through so much heartache and despair for years and years. Things have just gotten so incredibly horrible that people were in tears, pulling out their hair from the stress, and wondering what on earth they could do next. Dealing with what is laid before the people has gotten so bad at times that they just appear lost and unable to comprehend how things will go next year or even just from one week to the next. No, I'm not talking about everything that has gone on with Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Ray Nagin, or the declining economy. My words are aimed at a city that has lived through the seasons of the New Orleans Saints.

Super Bowl XLIV is upon us and the people in the city are really eating up the fact that their Saints are in it after years of disappointment and underachieving. I'm a fan that has watched the Saints for over 25 years of my 30 on this earth and I've lived through the three win seasons, constant injuries, downhill slides after fantastic starts, and players that never lived up to the hype. This is a year when the city is in an uproar because their Saints will be playing the Indianapolis Colts in the biggest game of the season and the locals have certainly made a point of celebrating like only they know how.

Seeing this city in all its glory with my own two eyes has been simply phenomenal. I love driving around and seeing the Christmas decorations every years because the store windows, sidewalk cafes, and light posts look so festive and in the season. I go anywhere in the city now and that same festiveness is every where to be seen only now instead of trees, presents, and Santa Claus; you see jerseys, helmets, and Gumbo the dog.

All you have to do is drive around the city for one day and stop at random locations whether it's the mall, local shops, restaurants, or even schools and you'll notice that Saints' fever has taken over. You can't walk past anyone wherever you go without them screaming "Go Saints!" or "Who Dat!" at you. Business offices are allowing workers to ditch the ties and jackets for jerseys and jeans. Restaurants have the chefs and serves in black and gold, no matter what the colors may be. Schools are letting the kids ditch the uniforms and wear the names and numbers of their favorite players. Not to mention that the day after the Super Bowl has already been declared a holiday for numerous schools and offices.

I honestly can't tell you a single establishment that I've entered this past week where the Saints were not the primary focus. People are making sure to show their true colors and its awesome knowing all of them are the same in black and gold. Those same people are the strangers you'd never think of giving a second thought to as you walk past them on the street, but just the other day I got high-fived by no less than six people in the mall because of my Saints' shirt. Each and every citizen in New Orleans is a friend these days and it's kind of odd considering most of the time they won't even give you the time of day.

Everyone in the city is preparing to attend a party or tailgating event or sports' bar where they can watch the game with plenty of fans from the Who Dat Nation. It doesn't matter differences or that some of them may be strangers; no-one cares right now. All they want to do is be somewhere surrounded by people no matter who it may be so that they can cheer together, high-five one another, and maybe even share a random hug or two. They finally want an outlet for all of the excitement that has been building ever since kicker Garrett Hartley's kick sailed through the uprights and defeated the Minnesota Vikings in overtime. Listen to me folks when I tell you that the atmosphere is nothing less than electrifying and just fantastic.

Local resident Dana Vieira has plans of watching the game at her sister's house surrounded by family. "We're going to get dressed in all our of Saints' gear, head out to my sister's house, and just watch the game together as a family. She's bought decorations with black and gold plates, posters, streamers, and everything else you can imagine. Of course we won't pay any attention to all of that once the game begins, but it will make for a really fun setting."

Family is a great way to enjoy the most meaningful Super Bowl in New Orleans history and that is where I'll be. Having watched countless games over the years with both my father and brother-in-law, there is no way this game could come on the air without me sitting right beside them. The stress and tension will be a little easier to deal with if everyone else in the room is feeling the same way. I'll have on my number 12 Marques Colston jersey and my brand new NFC Championship hat in show of my full support for the team that has been my obsession for so long now. The Saints started giving me gray hair at the tender age of 22 and that was when they weren't even making it into the playoffs and struggling to have winning seasons. Just goes to show you that the support for my team knows no limits and no bounds whether they are good or bad.

As a city, the Saints have truly brought people together and given them a common bond to talk about, look forward to, and cheer for. Everyone knows that this team has been the focal point ever since Katrina because it gave the citizens of New Orleans something to get their mind off of troubles and destruction. Complete decimation of the city made it almost a certainty that the team would not be staying where they originated and possibly even move west to San Antonio or even Los Angeles. A lot is owed to Tom Benson for keeping the team here since he is the owner and makes the final decisions, but so much needs to be said for General Manager Mickey Loomis. Without his brilliant mind and great decision-making abilities then names like Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper, and Reggie Bush would not be here. I urge everyone watching on Sunday to take a second and just say a quick "thank you" to Mr. Loomis for without him, none of this would be possible.

Jason Martin of Metairie knows that this team is good not because of all the horror that came with Katrina, but they are a big reason people have been able to make it through all that turmoil. "They have given the fans something to look forward to every week. Without them, our weekends would be just boring and dull. You can't help but see how empty the streets are when gametime rolls around. That's got to tell you something," said Martin. He continued, "All of those players have delivered us a Super Bowl berth and allowed us, the fans, to do something we've always dreamed of doing. We can each...be a Saint."

He's right and all of us can't help but feel like we are a part of the team. Our excitement and energy is a big cog in this black and gold machine that started here in New Orleans and has made a long five month trip straight to Miami. The city, especially Bourbon Street, has been nothing but overjoyed and ecstatic for two weeks now. Only time will tell what the scene will look like if time runs out on Sunday and Jim Henderson proclaims the Saints are the "champions of the world." I honestly am not entirely sure though that it will make much of a difference because this team has already turned New Orleans upside-down and it is just because of the Super Bowl berth. A victory...that will just be extra sugar on the king cake.