The officiating corps at last night’s Saints playoff game may have denied the team a late touchdown, but the fans at Barcadia on Tchopitoulas Street would not be denied.
Among the chants of Who Dats were the passions of a fan base that, while being well oiled with celebratory drinks, still managed to put together some insightful comments about what it is to be a member of the Saints’ faithful.
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One particular fan, I dubbed Mr. Game Analysis, was able to break the game down with the precision of a professional sports broadcaster: “First quarter—money, on the ball, little slow, but still there. Second quarter, meh. Third quarter, full gallop—hitting all the marks Drew, Alvin, Michael Thomas, the defense. Fourth quarter, we’re going to the Super Bowl!”
Saints’ ladies I talked to really watched the game. The ones I talked to were ready with a critique of the game that reflected the arc of the Saints performance:
“We started kind of slow, but then Drew Brees and Michael Thomas came alive and I was excited to watch them play!” At least three women all had the same review of the game. You could see they were watching as closely, if not closer, than the guys.
Still, another fan I called Mr. Two Dat talked about this being the Saints year and how important getting a ring for Drew Brees really is.
“Two-Dat! Two rings, if Drew Brees is going to really make it into the history of the Saints, we’ve got to get two rings! Right now the team is together, they have the talent, the drive, and are putting together a win. But they’ve got to get two rings. They’ve got to compulsion, the push. Win! Win! Win! Two Dat! Two rings, baby. It’s got to happen!”
But the quote of the night came from a fan who talked about what the team means to state of Louisiana and how the heart of the Saints is a statewide, region wide, personal thing, paraphrasing, she talked about how the team represents the hope of all the people of Louisiana and how the victories are signs of hope for the people of Louisiana. Fandom on a whole new level. A Saints win is a sign of hope for us all.
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