skymike

Four and a half years ago, an uninformed person, no, let me say a misinformed person, told me that the Saints were moving, as there was "no one left" to support them. I knew he was dead wrong.

I knew enough about the Saints fan base to know those affected by the Storm, who could find a way, would. I knew those outside the destruction would step up. I also knew there were thousands of fans outside New Orleans already, who drove hours to sit in Tiger Stadium & watch a 3-13 team, led by a disaffected quarterback, just to show their support, and refuse to quietly allow our supposed fate. I was one of these people.

San Antonio is 3 hours closer to my house than New Orleans. Had the Saints moved, I would have quit the NFL forever.

Occasionally, talk arises of the "Gulf Coast Saints," or the "Louisiana" Saints, and from certain vantage points, the reasoning seems valid. But I, being a Texan by birth, believe the "New Orleans Saints" are just as mine as if I were raised on St. Charles Avenue. If you are a long-suffering supporter from Hattiesburg, the "New Orleans Saints" are yours also.

The Saints belong to and belong in New Orleans, a city we have all in some form, adopted in our hearts. Louisiana is the most beautiful place on earth, and I love the entire state. Buy Saints merchandise, wear their logos, insist your local pub show the team, and you are supporting New Orleans. I predict, in wake of Super Bowl XLIV, Louisiana tourism will set new records this year.

Mississippi Fan, you stood in 100 degree heat in Jackson, to watch a team practice. Anyone who's ever ran a long distance race knows the value of moral support. You bought the tickets, made the drive, spent tourism dollars, and raised Hell to the NFL, when they suggested you didnt exist. If I were Tom Benson, I would return not only a Louisiana patch to the uniform, but a Mississippi patch also. These are YOUR Saints.

Cajun Country Fan, your home is in Crowley, Abbeville, Eunice, Lafayette and countless wonderful small towns. The world doesnt know about you, but you've been there all along. You cant count the dollars you've spent on Saints merchandise, as the team is part of your life. You too support New Orleans, and know how to act when you're there. These are YOUR Saints.

Northwest Louisiana Fan, you may be the toughest of our bunch. Your tv station in Shreveport has slapped your face for years, showing the Cowboys, and a remarkable ignorance of geography. Your weaker neighbors succumb to a crowded bandwagon, and loudly berate your Faith and Loyalty. And even some of your Saints brethren, who should WELCOME your support, accuse you of being a "hick" religious fanatic.
What you are is a hard working, honest living, pillar, who happens to have a different, more ardent standard than me. You will outlive me and my liver. Thank you for driving 5 hours to the Superdome. Thank you for wearing Saints gear in disputed territory. These are YOUR Saints.

Texas Fan, perhaps you're on (oil) business, or there by Storm, most likely living in souless Houston, but your heart is east. Local media just discovered you. Maybe you live in the marsh in SE Texas, or the Piney Woods, and you just cant stand the Cowboys. Either way, unless you're watching games in a crowded Saints sportsbar, people have been looking at your Saints gear funny, and in some cases, saying ignorant things. This is your time now. Houston & New Orleans must realize their sisterhood. Each is a wind away from needing the other. Those of you who lost your homes, I cannot grasp what your heart must have been Sunday night. Need I say it? These are YOUR Saints.

And Fans from all over the U.S. and other countries, you already wear the gear. Dont forget you can also order all sorts of New Orleans merchandise online, from countless shops across the city. Why not decorate your home with authentic Mardi Gras treasures? Your Saints jersey just became the fashion statement of your town. And some day, you're going to visit New Orleans. Thank you for advertising the Saints and the City in your locale. Your money makes its way to our owner, and therefore helps pay Drew Brees. These are YOUR Saints too.

New Orleans Fans, thank you for sharing your city and YOUR Saints. We loved and supported this team when they were losers. We believed in and supported New Orleans when others pronounced her dead. We can all say, "These are Our Saints." GEAUX.

exile

Straight from the heart Mike. Well done. I put my stamp of approval on this entire message. Being a Saints fan is less about where you live and more about how you live.

Who Dat!

JoanieNTX

Excellent, excellent post! I fit right in there with the Texas fan! Had to leave Louisiana because my hubby's career is here. But I will ALWAYS love my Saints!

Choupique

The Who Dat Galaxy includes many humans, critters and who knows what else.... and they reside everywhere, has been my experience.

Global Dat.

Saint_LB

Great sentiment...but it won't work. Then you have Texas fan saying, "Hey, what about me?"

So you add Texas...now you have LA, MS, and TX on the patch...and Alabama fan says..."Hey, what about me?"

You see where I'm going with this, I'm sure. But, I have a solution. Why not just put a patch that is the Earth. That should cover everyone.

SmashMouth

Well said ... but this team is more than just the aforementioned. It is now not only America's New Team, but also the World's Team!

Whoux Dat!

Lombradi Gras on Dat Tuesday!

RaginCajun83

Well said Mike. I'm one of those brought to Houston by the oil industry but as much as I can I fly the Louisiana flag proudly. Houston is so lifeless that it makes me sick when it comes to support of sport's teams. Sure they have some die hard out there but you normally only see any support when the teams are winning. What a joke?

breesfan27

Great post, Mike. I left New Orleans when I was little, but I still consider it my home. The Saints will always be my team. There is no other team in the league that I would even WANT to root for. If the Saints left New Orleans, I'd quit watching football, and that itself would be hard on me. I love everything about the game. But I just couldn't bring myself to root for another team the way I root for New Orleans.

Tobias-Reiper

Sky, I hope one day I can buy you a beer or 3.

After this year,they should put a map of the USA in the uniform

Stiggs

Thanks for the excellent post Mike. As a native Shreveporter who grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in TX, I have met many a Saints fan along the way. But there where many more football fans who thought I was nuts to like, no, LOVE such a "bum" team. When I moved back to Shreveport in the 80's, man it sucked to see a surging Saints team bumped from TV to show the suck-a$$ Cryboys. I embrace your sentiments entirely, they are OUR Saints team.