If one of your buddies got called up to the majors four months after finishing his third year at the University, you would figure this column should be devoted to his story. Another logical choice could be the Virginia football home opener, where the environment in the stadium appeared closer to a Physics 141 lecture on propulsion systems than the opening to a new football season. Yet with so many close friends struggling as their beloved Gulf Coast is put under siege by a natural disaster, it seemed that the least I could do is devote this column to my impression of what the sports world can do to help out.
I know what so many of you are thinking right now: Sports have no place when a region is fighting every day for survival. And you know what, I respect that stance. Yet I ask you to consider what those people need now more than ever. Possibly more than ever in the history of sports, the Gulf Coast needs an outlet from the devastation. The people of the Gulf Coast crave the opportunity to cheer, yell and scream at the top of their lungs and for a brief period of time get lost in the brilliant heat of competition and team spirit that only sports can provide.
Possibly more than any other group, fans of the New Orleans Saints find themselves in the middle of this tragedy. Prior to enrolling at the University, I could not name more than one New Orleans Saints player. After getting to know so many New Orleans natives that people mistakenly think I live there, I have heard every story conceivable from the beer man Michael Lewis to the umbrella-welding owner.
As most sports fans can relate to, these friends have turned me into the biggest fan of whichever team the Saints play every week. Yet just as I cheered for Derek Jeter and the evil empire of the New York Yankees after September 11, I find myself with a nagging desire to root for the Saints like never before.
At a time when millions of Gulf Coast residents lost their entire livelihoods, in a few days the beloved Saints will open the NFL season against the Carolina Panthers. While the league has yet to decide where the Saints will play their home games this year (my vote goes to Baton Rouge), the games must go on.
Across the country, millions of devastated Saints fans will be able to congregate in their sports bars and living rooms, or just flip on the radio and scream "Who Dat" every time Deuce McAllister runs for four yards. They will chest bump every time Aaron Brooks avoids a sack and picks up a first down. When Joe "little big" Horn catches that first TD, they will once again profess that he is the best receiver in the league, possibly in the history of the league. And they will look you in the eye and ensure you that this is their year.
Fans of other teams will look in amazement as the most noise and enthusiasm in the bar resonates from a team that has won one playoff game. EVER. But if you ask any New Orleans resident about that single playoff victory, grab a seat and be prepared for a story of a lifetime. They will tell of the most joyous day of their life, as the tears flowed down with the confetti from the Superdome as the Saints upset the mighty St. Louis Rams in the greatest football game of all time.
This happiness, enthusiasm and unbridled love for a team are what sport is all about. It is an excitement and passion that no amount of charity or money can provide. For four hours every Sunday, people from across the country with ties to the hurricane-stricken area of New Orleans will not be suffocated with thoughts of victims, family and the life-changing loss that this disaster has brought. This is why sports in the Gulf Coast region are needed now more than ever.
I think there is one announcement that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue could make that would give thousands across the country a reason to hope, to wake up and proclaim their city will survive: an unprecedented decision that the Super Bowl in 2010 will be played in New Orleans. I know you are thinking that a football game in five years will not save the lives of thousands. But it will do something far more important --it will affirm to the region that the country has faith that the city of New Orleans will win this war. A Super Bowl announcement would give them the reassurance that although they are going through a living hell, times will get better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is a long way away.
In a few days, I will suck up my pride, put my Brian Dawkins jersey in the closet and join the New Orleans contingent in their Saints spirit. I will yell "Who Dat," break out an extra Aaron Brooks jersey and cheer on a team that represents the hearts of so many. I may even bite my tongue and agree that this is the year the Saints will go all the way. The outcome of the game will be meaningless in the end. Win or lose, millions of people will be able to get lost in the joy and passion that is sport, and I ask you to join them this Sunday in coming together to yell "Who Dat."
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