My First Saints Game!!!
 

I've been a fan of the team since I was a kid but for many reasons, never made it to a game. Been to N.O. a couple of times, love the FQ and the food, music and fun, but never made it to a game until now. And Wow, did I ever pick the the right game. I know N.O. is going to be a madhouse , I can hardly wait. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine us being undefeated, 10-0, with the Pats coming in. This is going to be fantastic.
I'll be in town Sun. nite and after a nice nites rest from the drive down from Texas, my wife & I will be fresh and ready for a day of tailgating etc before going into the Dome for the 1st time. GEAUX SAINTS!!!

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

You sure picked a great game!!

I'll be in my seat sec 117 row 14, with butterflies until kickoff!!!!!

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

Good for you. The Dome is one heck of a place to see the game.

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

207 row 3.

THIS IS NEW ORLEANS!!!!!

Oh, and let me know if you need any suggestions for food, fun, etc...

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

You sure did pick a good one for your first Dome experience. Mine was in 1977 against the Jets, the Saints lost 16-13. What I remember most was the relentless pressure Archie Manning had on him in that game, and the fans chanting "We want Scott". (Backup QB Bobby Scott). Well, I actually didn't pick to go to that game, my mom seen my heartbroken face when I found out she and dad landed only two free tickets, so she let me go instead. As a trade off she and dad went the following week to the Buccaneers game, and the Saints were embarrassed by the 0-26 expansion team, 33-14. I guess I got the better of the deal... Wow, memories of an 8 year old... LOL

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

Damn, Pumpkin, its almost not fair. You pick what could be one of the biggest games in the history of the team for your first game. I would guess at least 60% of us saw the Saints for the first time during a bad year, and I would bet for 70% of us, the first game was a loss.

My first live game was in '84 vs. the Oilers, who completely sucked at the time. We were considered dark horses, as Bum Phillips was building the foundation for the Dome Patrol. But since the Saints had never even had a winning season, it was pretty electric, w/ the possibility of playoffs.

I almost jumped out of my skin, when I saw the bright fake green turf in the Astrodome, but Grandpa was using a walker, and we could only go so fast, so I had to be cool. Then we get down to our level, where the bleachers were--field level/endzone, and the cops came running thru, putting up the ropes, shoving everyone sideways, but because of Grandpa's walker, they didnt want to wait, so they told us to just stand right there. I had no idea what was going on--- until.... The Saints came running past us from warmups back to the locker room!

Was I the little kid on Willy Wonka or what? (ok, I was 20)

Two feet away from us, I immediately recognized Tim Wilson, who seemed pleased to be greeted. From Bruce Clark to Guido Merkins, Saint after Saint passed by, and I stuck out my hand and said hi, and they all slapped my hand as they ran by. Richard Todd (who was believed to be the next team saviour at the time) actually stopped, turned around, and shook my hand, as if I was somebody important, after I not-so-cooly yelled, "Richard Todd!" (what would you do?) Bum, of course, was friendly, as he was enjoying another Houston reunion, in the city where he was worshipped.

The game was probably nothing special, but every play to me was like the Super Bowl. I couldnt believe how many Saints fans made the drive to Houston. Back in the 80s everybody wore those yellow-gold t-shirts, so our fans REALLY stuck out. Black people especially look cool in yellow, and they made a big, friendly impression on me, and thats where I heard my first WhoDat chant!

The Saints ran by our seats to go back in at halftime, to come out after the half, and at the end of the game, which they won, and they got a hero's welcome back to the "tunnel." Bum got a huge cheer from both WhoDats, and from the remaining Oiler fans who were supremely p1$$ed at his firing in Houston.

The walk down the ramps was a party. The drive back down I-10 to the State Line, where I lived at the time, was unreal. I didnt know leaving my
Saints pennant in my back window would cause the commotion it did.

Im driving along, when somebody starts honking. I turn and this carload of black people are yelling & gesturing wildly--I'm like, "What tha hell did I do?" And then I notice their yellow-gold t-shirts and Saints stuff. "oh, yes, WhoDat, Yes! hahahaha" I honk back and wave. whew! About 30 more cars do exactly the same thing. And then I saw my first shoe-white back window Fleur on a car-- a tradition I stole, and still do every game day drive.

Suffice to say, the Saints and their fans made a huge impression on me. I had been watching them since '82 on tv, and thought New Orleans seemed romantic. *** A few weeks later, we all suffered thru the most heartbreaking loss you could imagine in Texas Stadium. I was hooked.

GEAUX!


***(I dreamed, as a teenager, of an extremely long bridge in a swamp, and a girl I didnt know riding with me-- I had never heard of the Atchafalaya Basin, & my current wife was born about the year I had that dream. Our honeymoon was in New Orleans.)

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

Great story Skymike! lol

Damn I can't wait for Monday night... FYI, I'm taking my Dad to this game. We've been able to catch a game together in N.O. each of the past 3 years since Ive moved back to the south.

GEAUX SAINTS!!

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

My only game has been the ATL game last year.... I want a redo on first experiences :( ATL fans are douchebags.

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

Very cool! I've never been to a Saints game in the Dome. Just high school state championship. Saw our boys in AZ (went to Arizona State undergrad) and Charlotte (where I most recently lived) over the years. I'll definitely have to make it back home for a game next year.

Re: My First Saints Game!!!
 

I like those numbers Mike and you are probably right. I may be in the exception group because almoost every Saint game I've ever been to was a win. I was in D.C when they played the Skins last year and that was the first Saint loss I've ever actually been at.....and I've been to quite a few. The most exciting was probably the MNF game against the Falcons (1st game back in the dome).

Congrats on the Pats game Pumpkin. The dome is always electric but I have a feeling its going to be extra crazy in the Bayou next Monday lol