My sister sent me a great article from the Orlando Sentinel about the New Orleans Saints march to the NFC Championship Game and what it means to the city. I thought it was interesting and I resonated with it greatly. If it is possible for sports to mean more to people than just the simplicity of the game on the field, this is it. I know that it is all just projection of hopes and dreams onto something that is really quite meaningless and silly, but it is no more meaningless than anything in the human experience. We appreciate art, music, film, literature, and travel. All of those things are gifts that have the ability to lift the human spirit and speak to us of things Beyond that are more pure and beautiful than we can imagine. Sports has that capacity as well, when done correctly. It usually misses the mark, but it might get fairly close this weekend. This "game" has the potential to lift the spirits of a city and region and remind them that anything is possible. That is something that is pretty cool in my opinion, and worth reflection.
And, beyond the metaphysical stuff I was just saying, Go Saints!!!
Who DAT?
Posted by: anonymous | January 19, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Did you ever download that zip file?
I'm curious now about that house.
Posted by: joe kennedy | January 19, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Should be a great game.
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | January 20, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Alan,
Please accept my condolences for the Saints loss in the NFC Championship.
Posted by: Rob Slagle | January 21, 2007 at 08:09 PM
devastated. i will not discuss this event after tomorrow.
Posted by: joe kennedy | January 21, 2007 at 10:41 PM
That hurt badly. The Saints were playing for an entire region of the country, and, even though they lost, they lifted the spirits of a people who have lost so much. It was so encouraging to see the City and region rally around this team and go further than they ever have before. What a great story. It would make an awesome movie someday, in my opinion.
But, all fairy tales come to an end, and it came crashing down for the Saints and their fans today on a soggy, snowy field in the Windy City to the score of 39-14. As the lonely Quarter trumpet player sings the sad dirge announcing the ending of yet another season of almost fulfilled dreams and just missed hopes, the ever present hopeful refrain of "wait 'till next year" bubbles up in the heart of every true Saints fan. We know how to handle disappointment and something in us expects it. But, the Who Dats will look to another day when the Saints go marching in - hopefully to a Super Bowl.
Buddy D would be proud. So would my Papaw.
Who Dat, Who Dat, Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?
The Bears beat them on the field, but nothing can beat them in the heart of every grown man who remembers being a little kid, pulling for a losing team that always promised better days but never fulfilled. Even though they lost, watching them this year reminded me of many games in the Superdome with my cousin, of Sunday afternoons at my grandparents with fried chicken and biscuits cooking and the Saints playing on the little TV. I remember my Dad and Papaw yelling at the mistakes made, but all the while telling stories of Archie and the lovable losers, the Saints. Everyone was still alive then and we all lived together.
Well, anyway, it was a great season and a much needed respite for the locals from the destruction still facing them.
Wait till next year!
Posted by: Alan Cross | January 21, 2007 at 11:54 PM