Super Bowl XLIV - Oh What a Night!

So the question arises: who DIDN'T watch Super Bowl XLIV? The game was played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on February 7, 2010, the latest calendar date for a Super Bowl game yet. According to CBS Corporation officials, Super Bowl XLIV broke a 27-year-old all-time U.S. ratings record set by the comedy series MASH. These two records were just a few of the many that would be broken in the faceoff between the AFC Champs, the Indianapolis Colts, and the NFC Champs, the New Orleans Saints.

Having a boyfriend who works for the New Orleans Saints, I had the luxury of attending what turned out to be a dramatic victory for the state of Louisiana. Arriving in Miami on Thursday, three days prior to the event, it seemed the game was lifetimes away. But while touring the city and enjoying the beautiful weather, it became readily apparent that the Saints were America's team. From cab drivers to shop owners, we were consistently greeted with a 'Who Dat' or, for those less familiar with our colloquialism, a simple 'Go Saints!'. The down-to-earth, hard-work-perseveres mentality of the Saints' players was not only contagious, but was capturing a place in hearts nationwide.

The Colts on the other hand didn't seem phased by New Orleans' sentimental story. They arrived in Miami with their 16-2 record, their league-MVP quarterback, and the intention to win big. Upon taking our seats in Sun Life Stadium, the tension was palpable. This was only made worse by the Colts' screaming 10-0 lead. Nerves were on end as we all wondered how our Saints would respond. The answer to that, we all witnessed after a 10-6 start of the second half, was quite powerfully. Setting another of the aforementioned records, Coach Sean Payton started off the second half with an onside kick, giving the Saints a touchdown, and a 13-10 lead. With Saints fans celebrating New Orleans-style in the stands, Peyton Manning prodded back by leading his team down the field to gain a 17-13 lead and to quiet the Who Dat Nation.

The Manning magic soon fizzled though as Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton's pass and celebrated for 74 yards into the end zone. Waves of excitement filled not only me, but every Saints' fan in the stadium, and I witnessed people either jumping crazily in their seats, standing motionless with jaw-dropped awe, hugging and kissing every stranger around them, reciting the now-unanswerable 'Who Dat' chant, and just simply partying proudly. Long after the confetti filled the air, and the game's MVP Drew Brees celebrated his final 288 yards passing and two touchdown victory in front of a nation of believers, the Who Dat Nation continued to celebrate. A celebration that intertwined with Mardi Gras the following Tuesday to where the fans and locals weren't really certain if they were participating in an annual Fat Tuesday celebration, or a celebration for our record-setting NFL heroes.