QBREES9

Greatest Saints memory in the Superdome?


Here at WWL, we 're always talking sports in our staff meetings...the question now-what do you talk about when you've entered the "dead zone" this time of the year? The other day, we tossed around the topic--greatest Saints memories in the Superdome.

What tops the list?

Believe it or not, some of us were a little torn between "re-opening of the Superdome after Katrina" and "Garrett Hartley's kick that sent the Saints to their first Super Bowl ever." We also had a small debate about including "Hakim drops the ball."

I think the choice is clear, but you guys can help settle the debate. "I think it has to be the Hartley kick," said Saints color analyst Hokie Gajan. "That was a first in Saints history... something many fans thought they would never see," continued Gajan.

Bobby Hebert quickly jumped in, "No...no, it was the reopening of the Superdome after hurricane Katrina. It was a symbol to the rest of the country that New Orleans was back in business, not to mention it was against the Falcons--their biggest rival."

WWL's Steve Geller was really torn, "I think it's all great. That night in the dome, when they re-opened was huge...but then you have the NFC championship game. And, hey, I grew in New Jersey watching the Eagles make nightmares not memories, so I'm on the fence."

As the conversation continued to roll, Big Chief Deke Bellavia walks in and says, "Man, are you serious? I know they had some great memories in that Dome--the Ali-Spinks fight, the Roberto Duran/Sugar Ray fight, Chris Weber calling a time out against UNC...but I think it has to be 'Hakim drops the ball.' If you think about it, that was the first playoff win in franchise history...pretty significant. Then again, the kick by Hartley should be right there with it."

For my money, without question it has to be "Garrett Hartley's game winning kick in the NFC title game"... and the call by Jim Henderson that followed, "It's good...it's gooooooooood... pigs have flown... hell has frozen over...the Saints are on their way to the Super Bowl."

I know the re-opening of the Superdome is significant...no doubt about it, but as far as pure bliss, and emotion? Forty-three years of frustration, angst, and despair flushed down the drain in one play. Wow... it doesn't get much better than that! Sure "Hakim drops the ball" belongs in the discussion. I'm calling on you Who Dat Nation! Can you help settle the debate?

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

Seer1

I've never been to the Superdome, but one day before I die I will get there. As far as the greatest moment goes, it has to be that Monday night September 25, 2006.

We all watched as that gigantic storm headed straight into New Orleans. The levees broke and waters rushed in. Those who had somewhere to go and a way to get there left. Many of those who didn't, or couldn't, took refuge in the Superdome. The television was filled with scenes of the people, the cots, the leaking roof. It didn't take a genius to figure the conditions inside were deplorable, but at least it was shelter.

In the sports side of the news, the Saints were moving to Texas. It was all, but a done deal. New Orleans was dying and according to some better left dead. It was time to move the team somewhere else.

Then after months of a swamped city and the amazing inability of our government to take care of our own people comes a Monday night in September....


Now I'll not argue that kick was a fantastic moment. But it was just one more in a series of fantastic moments that night. Yes I celebrated way beyond the rest of my non Who Dat friends I was watching the game with. Yes I really dished out some smack to the Viking fan that was there, but still it didn't compare with that Monday night in September.

I didn't yell that Monday night. I didn't dance or run around the house. In fact I watched that game by myself. The feeling from that moment is so much deeper, so much more memorable than from any field goal or dropped ball. Wherever you were that September night, you had to have heard and felt all that was coming from that dome. It was a city telling the world, "We're still here and hope is alive!" That moment is as clear in mind now as when it happened and stands head and shoulders above anything else to have ever happened in the Superdome.

st thomas

its all great memories and my#1 is the hartly kick, i never in all the ones listed had to take turns going to the rest room with family and buddies to cry and wipe tears. no contest to me.

Cruize

I took my Nephew to his first game when the Saints played the Rams in the playoffs. He was wide-eyed and smiling from the moment we got out of the vehicle until atleast two weeks after that. LOL. Great game. Great crowd. Great memories. He got married a year ago and recently named their first dog Brees.

Ashley

It's been a long time, since i've been in the dome. So it would have to be
"HAkim drops the ball!".

Rugby Saint II

My favorite moment would have to be the look on the Patriots side line when we spanked them last year in front of a National audience. Belicheat and Brady looked just broken up over it.

QBREES9

I'll let you know after I come down this year. Just being there.

Rugby Saint II

I'm hoping that you don't come down for a few years. Who Dat II!

skymike

Besides the above mentioned, (my vote is "hell freezes over")

in '88 we were sailing toward our 2nd winning season, a possible division
title, playoffs, and respect. We were looking good & kicking azz. But facing the scariest QB in football, John Elway. I guess it was November. Very similiar to this past years Patriot game, where everyone was going, "ok, here's the real test." First play of the game, aliens kidnapped Mora, and replaced him with someone who let Hebert open it up-- which he did, bombing the Broncos, and we never looked back. 42-0 win over a Super Bowl contender, and one happy drive home.

I had no idea it was a all a mirage that would take 22 more years to vindicate. But we had a lot of happy moments -- usually when opponents, other than the 49ers, were on third and long. Anyone who was there knows what Im talking about.

MatthewT

Since I was at the game, has to be when Hakim dropped the ball. My guess is that was easily topped by the kick that got the Saints to the Super Bowl.