Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?
I love New Orleans and I am a Saints fan. I didn’t become a Saints fan because they were the best playing football team, as a matter of fact, they were lovingly known as the ‘Aints. I became a fan of the Saints when my husband bought season tickets and we went to the first Monday night game held at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
I’ve never been to a professional football game and this was my first time. Not only was I awed at being in the stadium, I was impressed with how the fans loved their Saints. For years, win or lose and lose again, the fans loved their Saints. The energy, the excitement, the love, the passion and the brass bands that walk around and play for the fans in the stand is what I fell in love with.
I also loved the fact that, even if the Saints lost a game time and time again, the fans still celebrated the Saints. I don’t recall any other fan of any other team celebrating their team over a loss. Other fans love the winning aspect. The Saints fans love the Saints, win or lose.
When we moved to Texas in January 2009, we gave up our season tickets. We’re still kicking ourselves in the royal hiney over that decision. Yes, it’s a 5 hour drive to New Orleans from Houston and a well worth 5 hour drive to see the Saints. We’re now on a mission to get those season tickets back.
This past year our Saints kicked some butt. They kicked butt 13 times in a row. I can only imagine the excitement and the energy surrounding New Orleans and wanted to be a part of it. So when the Cowboys were coming to play the Saints, we went. We got up at the crack of dawn and headed to New Orleans, smiling all the way.
Walking around the French Quarter and feeling the hype before the game was priceless.
Cowboy fans were few and far between. I believe most of them were at the Superdome enjoying the festivities being held there.
We stopped by our favorite bar, The Opera House, where our favorite Zydeco band, The Bonoffs, play often. Ray grabbed a picture with the keyboard player, Janson, one of the founders of the band.
Not only do they sound great, they have one of the best washboard players and she kicks butt on that washboard!
If you're ever in New Orleans, please check them out. You won't be disappointed!
There were several Cowboy fans hamming it up with the band and had quite a bit of drink in them. They were enjoying themselves so much that they tipped the band $100.00. And after the 'wife' realized what her husband did, she was upset to say the least.
We stayed about an hour enjoying the Bonoffs and the time was creeping up on us to get to the Superdome. So off we went.
I couldn’t resist stopping for a quick shot with some Cowboy fans.
Getting into the Superdome was a slow process. The last time I saw this many fans was the first game after Katrina. It was massive, fun, and full of happy energy. Inside the Saints were hype also.
And then the Cowgirls come in.
Oh, did I say Cowgirls? Pardon me! I am so sorry! I believe they are called the Cowboys.
Back when we had our season tickets, our fan group was rather boring. Majority of them were there for the food and were constantly getting up and down. I literally felt like I was at the gym and had quite a workout standing and sitting, standing and sitting, standing and sitting. But the section we sat in for the Saints/Cowboy game was awesome. Those fans were there for the game. They could care less about the food. The entire section was one of the happiest bunch of fans I’ve seen. It was fantastic!
The game begins and the energy starts.
The Cowboys played a fantastic game. They played like they needed that win. Hard and strong. And we felt so bad for those Cowboys that we gave them the win. We want them to be in the playoffs. We want to see them get their butts kicked in the playoffs and lose that last hope for the Superbowl. hee hee hee. Sorry Cowboys . . .
So the final score? 24 to 17.
When it was all over and everyone was having a great time – win or lose as always – we all ended up on Bourbon Street to party with all the fans, listen to great music and grab some Beignets and Café au lait at Café Du Monde! MMMmmm good!
We may have lost the game to the Cowboys, but we're heading to Black & Gold Superbowl. I feel it in my bones!
And a HUGE thank you to Judy and Bayton for letting us crash at your place. Your hospitality is forever grateful! We'll be back, guarantee it!
