Super Bowl XLIV: Indianapolis Colts Can't Pony Up -- New Orleans Saints Win

The New Orleans Saints are the world champions of football and the Mardi Gras party has begun in both Miami and New Orleans. Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the Crescent City of New Orleans has reason to celebrate.

Though they started out slowly, Super Bowl XLIV ended with the New Orleans Saints winning 31-17 over the favored Indianapolis Colts.

The Saints were behind by 10 points and scoreless by the end of the first quarter, but they continued to play aggressively, take some risks and they started to score. When the fourth quarter began they were behind by one point, 17-16. Then they pulled ahead.

With Colts having possession of the ball, it appeared that it might become a tie game in the fourth quarter. But in the last few minutes of the game, it became a nightmare for the Colts when the Saint's Tracy Porter intercepted quarterback Peyton Manning's pass and returned it 74 yards for the final score of the game.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 32 of 39 passes covering 288 yards for the Saints and was voted MVP, leading the team to this championship in their first Super Bowl.

I'm not typically one who watches much football, but will usually watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I have to admit that I found myself enjoying this game.

In fact, the one and only NFL game I have attended was at the Super Dome when I was living in New Orleans. It was a nail-biter between the Saints and the L.A. Rams back in the early 1980s. I know firsthand how the Saints' fans feel about their team, because I think I was one of the only Rams' fans in a sold-out crowd! Even when their team lost, they loved their Saints.

I'm glad it was a victory for the Saints and their fans tonight. Everyone has gone through so much since Hurricane Katrina hit, but those who have stuck it out are resilient. They have a resolve that keeps them going, even when they are behind. The team shows the spirit of their fans. They played well and the win is well-deserved.

Congratulations to the world champions of Super Bowl XLIV-the New Orleans Saints! Let the Mardi Gras Party begin!

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/super-bowl/02/07/saints.colts/index.html?hpt=T1#ixzz0euhnpaJO