EDITORIAL – January 6, 2001
Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2001
Saints give us more than just playoff wins
The New Orleans Saints football team is awakening a lot of civic pride in the area, with black and gold showing up everywhere and the office conversations frequently turning to either the last game or the next game.
Today, the Saints are due to confront the Minnesota Vikings and we certainly wish them the best of good luck. However, we should also be ready if they lose.
What would be lost? A football game and the chance to see the Saints play more football games this playoff season. In the great scheme of things, its not really that big a deal.
Granted, the money spent in southeast Louisiana on Saints-related merchandise, memorabilia and the more direct expenses on tickets and concessions makes a huge economic impact. Many people, from restaurants to shopkeepers and from hot-dog vendors to parking lot attendants, can trace a lot of their income from a Saints season – especially a successful one.
But keep in mind, this was supposed to be a “rebuilding” year, recovering from 1999s 3-13 season and aiming toward the 2001 football season, which will end up at the Super Bowl in New Orleans in January 2002.
Think about it – no matter what happens today, next years season for the New Orleans Saints could be even better. And if it is, the team may end up hosting its own first Super Bowl appearance.
Then again, if today goes as Saints hopefuls want, and the team makes it through the next two weeks as well, the Saints could host next years Super Bowl as the defending champions and make it back-to-back titles.
That, after 34 years of struggle, doubt, frustration and failure, would make it all seem worthwhile.
Bless you boys.
LObservateur
