They suffered through over four decades of futility and had their hometown washed out by a natural disaster, but finally, Saints' fans in the city of New Orleans have something to be proud of.
In what is now the most watched event in television history, the New Orleans Saints became world champions after defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIV. With an estimated 106.5 million people watching around the world, Drew Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions en route to being named the game's most valuable player.
Ravaged by Hurricane Katrina four-and-a-half years ago, the Saints' first Super Bowl title could not have come at a better time for a city in search of inspiration. For an organization that symbolized embarrassment for much of its 42-year existence, the win propelled the Saints to hero status in the Big Easy.
"Four years ago, who ever thought this would be happening when 85 percent of the city was under water from [Hurricane] Katrina," Brees said. "Most people not knowing if New Orleans would ever come back or if the organization and the team would come back... This is the culmination of that belief and that faith.'
Brees finished the game completing 32-of-39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, while his counterpart, Peyton Manning, completed 31-of-45 for 333 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Sunday's aerial attack lived up to expectations as the two quarterbacks combined for the most competitions (63) in Super Bowl history.
Manning's late interception sealed the win for New Orleans. Down 24-17 with 3:12 left in the game, Saints' cornerback Tracy Porter picked off the four-time league MVP and returned the ball 74 yards for a touchdown. Porter, who intercepted Brett Favre to force overtime in the NFC Championship, outsmarted Manning as he stepped in front of a pass intended for Reggie Wayne. The interception was the only turnover in a nearly flawless game.
'I saw [the same play] over and over on film the past two weeks,' said Porter in an interview with ESPN. 'On third down, the route they ran there was always big for them to convert third downs on. Through numerous amounts of film study we've done all week, when the route came, it felt like I was watching it on film. When I saw the ball coming, I knew I was going to be in the end zone.'
Though the Colts' fate may have been decided by the turnover, the real story of the game came on the first play after halftime.
Saints' head coach Sean Payton showed that gamblers weren't the only people taking chances on Super Sunday. Payton placed his bets on rookie punter Thomas Morstead to successfully complete an onside kick to start the second half.
The gamble paid off.
Morstead hit a perfect ball that bounced off the chest of Colts' receiver Hank Baskett. After a near endless scramble was sorted out, Saints safety Chris Reis came out of the pile with the football clutched in his hands. The recovery sparked the Saints' comeback as Brees connected with running back Pierre Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive.
"We felt during the week [the onside kick] was more than a 60 or 70 percent chance," Payton said. "We felt not [just] good, we felt real good."
The shell-shocked Colts quickly bounced back with a 10 play, 76-yard drive capped off by a four-yard touchdown run by running back Joseph Addai. Addai finished the game with 13 rushes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Indianapolis' lead was cut to one after Garrett Hartley connected on a 47-yard field goal. The second-year pro also kicked field goals of 44 and 46 yards. Colts kicker Matt Stover, the oldest player to ever compete in a Super Bowl, missed a 51-yard attempt wide left early in the fourth quarter to set up the Saints' game-winning drive.
Brees was masterful in leading the Saints down the field to overcome the 10-point deficit his team once faced. With 5:42 left, Brees hit tight end Jeremy Shockey on a two-yard slant to put New Orleans up 22-17. Payton again gambled on a two-point conversion which was initially ruled an incomplete pass to wide receiver Lance Moore. Upon further review, however, the play was overturned and gave the Saints a seven-point lead.
Manning's last-ditch effort to mount a comeback of his own fell short after a pass sailed through the hands of Wayne near the end zone. As the Saints' sideline celebrated and the Gatorade shower ensued, the league's most prominent player walked off the field empty and disappointed.
"It's time for the Saints to celebrate," Manning said. "It's their field and it's their championship…I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won. I know the people of New Orleans and the Saints have that same feeling right now."
The impact of the Saints victory on Sunday night goes further than the football field. The team has given life to a city that can finally wipe away their tears and throw their hands up in triumph. The Saints are now a symbol of resurrection for a community that has risen to the top after there was little hope that the lights on Bourbon St. would shine again.
E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
