Open Letter to Miami, & Super Bowl XLIV

survive · 02-02-2010, 11:59 AM

This is not flame post, nor am i looking to get flamed, everyone that is an NFL fan has thier favorite team. More power to you and yours.

I myself, have been a fan of the New Orleans Saints since i was 7 years old (yes for 32 years

), and this is only the second time in history Saints have progressed past the 1st round of playoff games. This is the first time in the Saints 43 year franchise history that we have ever been to the Superbowl.

But i just wanted to share this with everyone that is interested to read it, i found it very amusing, and gives you an introspect of our (Louisiana's) culture and outloook. Hope you enjoy it.

The Times-Picayune
(Newspaper - New Orleans, Louisiana)
Monday, February 01, 2010

An open letter to the city hosting Super Bowl XLIV,
By Mark Lorando

Dear Miami,

The Saints are coming. And so are we, their loyal, long-suffering and slightly discombobulated Super Bowl-bound fans. While there's still time to prepare -- although a few hard-core Who Dats will be trickling in early, most of us won't arrive until Thursday or Friday -- we thought we'd give you a heads-up about what you should expect.

First things first: You need more beer! Yeah, we know. You ordered extra. You think you have more than any group of humans could possibly consume in one week. Trust us, You don't! New Orleans was a drinking town long before the Saints drove us to drink. But it turns out beer tastes better when we're winning. (Who knew?) So let's just say we're thirsty for more than a championship; adjust your stockpiles accordingly. And look, When we ask you for a go-cup, be nice to us. We don't even know what "open-container law" means. Is that anything like "last call"?

It's Carnival season in New Orleans (that's Mardi Gras to you), and we'll be taking the celebration on the road. So don't be startled if we throw stuff at you as we walk past; that's just our way of saying hello. Oh, and sorry in advance about those beads we leave dangling from your palm trees. We just can't help ourselves.

February is also crawfish season, and you can be sure that more than one enterprising tailgater will figure out a way to transport a couple sacks of live mudbugs and a boiling pot to Miami. When the dude in the Who Dat 2010 The National Football League All Rights Reserved T-shirt asks if you want to suck da head and pinch da tail, resist the urge to punch him. He's not propositioning you. He's inviting you to dinner. And if you see a big Cajun guy who looks exactly like an old Saints quarterback walking around town in a dress: don't ask, It's a long story.

We know that crowd control is a major concern for any Super Bowl host city. Our advice? Put away the riot gear.
Reason No. 1: Indianapolis is going to lose, and their fans are way too dull to start a riot.
Reason No. 2: New Orleans showed the world on Sunday that we know how to throw a victory party. We don't burn cars. We dance on them.
Reason No. 3: Even if we did lose, which we won't, leaving the stadium would be like leaving a funeral, and our typical response to that is to have a parade.

Speaking of which: If you happen to see a brass band roll by, followed by a line of folks waving their handkerchiefs, you're not supposed to just stand there and watch. As our own Irma Thomas would say: Get your backfield in motion. And hey, Mister DJ! Yes, we know you've already played that stupid Ying Yang Twins song 10 times tonight, but indulge us just one more time. To us, "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" isn't just a song; it's 576 points of good memories. It's the sound of a Drew Brees touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, a Pierre Thomas dive for first down on 4th-and-1, a Garrett Hartley field goal sailing through the uprights in overtime. It's what a championship sounds like. You may get sick of hearing it. We won't. Encore, dammit!

Inside Sun Life Stadium, you may find your ears ringing more than usual. We're louder than other fans. Seven thousand of ours sound like 70,000 of theirs. Don't believe us? Ask the 12th man in the Vikings huddle. Some people think it's just the Dome that heightens our volume. But you're about to discover a little secret: We can scream loud enough to make your head explode, indoors or out. It's not the roof. It's the heart. Well, OK, and the beer.

Don't be surprised if there are more Saints fans outside the stadium than inside. A lot of us are coming just to say we were part of history, even if we can't witness it up close. The Saints are family to us, and you know how it is with family: We want to be there for them, whether they really need us or not. Because we know our presence will mean something to them, whether they can see us or not. Come to think of it, seeing as how you're taking us in for the week, we pretty much regard you as family, too. So we're warning you now: If you're within hugging distance, you're fair game. Hugging strangers is a proud Who Dat tradition, right up there with crying when we win. Most sports fans cry when their teams lose. Not us. We've been losing gracefully and with good humor for 43 years. Tragedy and disappointment don't faze us. It's success that makes us go to pieces. Hurricane Katrina? We got that under control. The Saints in the Super Bowl? SOMEBODY CALL A PARAMEDIC!!! So anyway, don't let the tears of joy freak you out. We're just "disoriented."

OK. Let's review:
Order more beer. Throw me something, mister. Suck da heads. Wear da dress. Stand up. Get crunk. Hug it out. Protect your eardrums. Pass the Kleenex. Hoist the trophy.

See y'all at the victory party.
Faithfully yours,
The Who Dat Nation

chris32finney · 02-02-2010, 01:36 PM

I wasnt going to watch it (living in england so it will be on at about 3am), but after reading that i'll be staying up late and rooting for the saints.

onemyndseye · 02-04-2010, 09:57 PM

Interesting facts:

This will be the 44th superbowl
Obama is the 44th president
There are 44 days from Christmas to the Superbowl
The Saints franchise is 44 yrs old
On Superbowl Sunday it will be 4 years and 4 months since Katrina
The Saints won the NFC Championship in 4 mins and 44 secs in overtime.

Is this fate?

survive · 02-08-2010, 03:35 AM

just incase anyone wanted to know.... after a start of 0-10, the New Orleans Saints came back to win Superbowl 44 with a score of...

N.O. Saints 31 - Indy Colts 17

..........

happy Carnival!!!!!!

icemagus · 02-08-2010, 07:13 AM

Peyton deserved his second ring to secure his legacy.

survive · 02-08-2010, 09:53 PM

i could not agree more icemagus.... of the 4 premier quaterbacks left in the NFL i see them as an over the hill with great talent still getting it done, a young bloomer that has burnt out and needs to be revitalized, an astonishing athlete at the top of his game, and an underapreciated talent....

yesterday, astonishing top of his game lost to underappreciated, was just the year of the black and gold....

now 3 out of 4 of Archie Manning's sons have a superbowl ring; Peyton, Eli, and the Saints.

In the upcomming years i would love to see the Saints, Peyton (& Colts), and Favre (under his new purple banner) repeat thier superbowl success, and gain further recognition as the true talents that they are.

Here is hoping to great rematches, games and victories for all of them in the upcomming years.

Aries202 · 02-12-2010, 12:37 AM

Still upset Colts lost, well played by the Saints with the "ambush". Maybe next year Indy.

02-02-2010, 11:59 AM	#1
survive Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 75	Open Letter to Miami, & Super Bowl XLIV This is not flame post, nor am i looking to get flamed, everyone that is an NFL fan has thier favorite team. More power to you and yours. I myself, have been a fan of the New Orleans Saints since i was 7 years old (yes for 32 years ), and this is only the second time in history Saints have progressed past the 1st round of playoff games. This is the first time in the Saints 43 year franchise history that we have ever been to the Superbowl. But i just wanted to share this with everyone that is interested to read it, i found it very amusing, and gives you an introspect of our (Louisiana's) culture and outloook. Hope you enjoy it. The Times-Picayune (Newspaper - New Orleans, Louisiana) Monday, February 01, 2010 An open letter to the city hosting Super Bowl XLIV, By Mark Lorando Dear Miami, The Saints are coming. And so are we, their loyal, long-suffering and slightly discombobulated Super Bowl-bound fans. While there's still time to prepare -- although a few hard-core Who Dats will be trickling in early, most of us won't arrive until Thursday or Friday -- we thought we'd give you a heads-up about what you should expect. First things first: You need more beer! Yeah, we know. You ordered extra. You think you have more than any group of humans could possibly consume in one week. Trust us, You don't! New Orleans was a drinking town long before the Saints drove us to drink. But it turns out beer tastes better when we're winning. (Who knew?) So let's just say we're thirsty for more than a championship; adjust your stockpiles accordingly. And look, When we ask you for a go-cup, be nice to us. We don't even know what "open-container law" means. Is that anything like "last call"? It's Carnival season in New Orleans (that's Mardi Gras to you), and we'll be taking the celebration on the road. So don't be startled if we throw stuff at you as we walk past; that's just our way of saying hello. Oh, and sorry in advance about those beads we leave dangling from your palm trees. We just can't help ourselves. February is also crawfish season, and you can be sure that more than one enterprising tailgater will figure out a way to transport a couple sacks of live mudbugs and a boiling pot to Miami. When the dude in the Who Dat 2010 The National Football League All Rights Reserved T-shirt asks if you want to suck da head and pinch da tail, resist the urge to punch him. He's not propositioning you. He's inviting you to dinner. And if you see a big Cajun guy who looks exactly like an old Saints quarterback walking around town in a dress: don't ask, It's a long story. We know that crowd control is a major concern for any Super Bowl host city. Our advice? Put away the riot gear. Reason No. 1: Indianapolis is going to lose, and their fans are way too dull to start a riot. Reason No. 2: New Orleans showed the world on Sunday that we know how to throw a victory party. We don't burn cars. We dance on them. Reason No. 3: Even if we did lose, which we won't, leaving the stadium would be like leaving a funeral, and our typical response to that is to have a parade. Speaking of which: If you happen to see a brass band roll by, followed by a line of folks waving their handkerchiefs, you're not supposed to just stand there and watch. As our own Irma Thomas would say: Get your backfield in motion. And hey, Mister DJ! Yes, we know you've already played that stupid Ying Yang Twins song 10 times tonight, but indulge us just one more time. To us, "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" isn't just a song; it's 576 points of good memories. It's the sound of a Drew Brees touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, a Pierre Thomas dive for first down on 4th-and-1, a Garrett Hartley field goal sailing through the uprights in overtime. It's what a championship sounds like. You may get sick of hearing it. We won't. Encore, dammit! Inside Sun Life Stadium, you may find your ears ringing more than usual. We're louder than other fans. Seven thousand of ours sound like 70,000 of theirs. Don't believe us? Ask the 12th man in the Vikings huddle. Some people think it's just the Dome that heightens our volume. But you're about to discover a little secret: We can scream loud enough to make your head explode, indoors or out. It's not the roof. It's the heart. Well, OK, and the beer. Don't be surprised if there are more Saints fans outside the stadium than inside. A lot of us are coming just to say we were part of history, even if we can't witness it up close. The Saints are family to us, and you know how it is with family: We want to be there for them, whether they really need us or not. Because we know our presence will mean something to them, whether they can see us or not. Come to think of it, seeing as how you're taking us in for the week, we pretty much regard you as family, too. So we're warning you now: If you're within hugging distance, you're fair game. Hugging strangers is a proud Who Dat tradition, right up there with crying when we win. Most sports fans cry when their teams lose. Not us. We've been losing gracefully and with good humor for 43 years. Tragedy and disappointment don't faze us. It's success that makes us go to pieces. Hurricane Katrina? We got that under control. The Saints in the Super Bowl? SOMEBODY CALL A PARAMEDIC!!! So anyway, don't let the tears of joy freak you out. We're just "disoriented." OK. Let's review: Order more beer. Throw me something, mister. Suck da heads. Wear da dress. Stand up. Get crunk. Hug it out. Protect your eardrums. Pass the Kleenex. Hoist the trophy. See y'all at the victory party. Faithfully yours, The Who Dat Nation __________________ Gringo de Magnifico - RA \| Rumple Foreskin - Horus/Raven - Pack of Bastards -

02-02-2010, 01:36 PM	#2
chris32finney Pledge Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: If you cant see me i'm behind you....RUN!!! Posts: 29	I wasnt going to watch it (living in england so it will be on at about 3am), but after reading that i'll be staying up late and rooting for the saints. __________________ We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.

02-04-2010, 09:57 PM	#3
onemyndseye Master Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Central USA Posts: 260	Interesting facts: This will be the 44th superbowl Obama is the 44th president There are 44 days from Christmas to the Superbowl The Saints franchise is 44 yrs old On Superbowl Sunday it will be 4 years and 4 months since Katrina The Saints won the NFC Championship in 4 mins and 44 secs in overtime. Is this fate? __________________ RA/Syrtis Hunter LVL50: Elusis RA/Syrtis Barba LVL50: Artemisia RA/Syrtis Conju Lvl45: Nellas Miriel

02-08-2010, 03:35 AM	#4
survive Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 75	just incase anyone wanted to know.... after a start of 0-10, the New Orleans Saints came back to win Superbowl 44 with a score of... N.O. Saints 31 - Indy Colts 17 .......... .......... happy Carnival!!!!!! __________________ Gringo de Magnifico - RA \| Rumple Foreskin - Horus/Raven - Pack of Bastards -

02-08-2010, 09:53 PM	#6
survive Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 75	i could not agree more icemagus.... of the 4 premier quaterbacks left in the NFL i see them as an over the hill with great talent still getting it done, a young bloomer that has burnt out and needs to be revitalized, an astonishing athlete at the top of his game, and an underapreciated talent.... yesterday, astonishing top of his game lost to underappreciated, was just the year of the black and gold.... now 3 out of 4 of Archie Manning's sons have a superbowl ring; Peyton, Eli, and the Saints. In the upcomming years i would love to see the Saints, Peyton (& Colts), and Favre (under his new purple banner) repeat thier superbowl success, and gain further recognition as the true talents that they are. Here is hoping to great rematches, games and victories for all of them in the upcomming years. __________________ Gringo de Magnifico - RA \| Rumple Foreskin - Horus/Raven - Pack of Bastards -

02-08-2010, 07:13 AM	#5
icemagus Secondary account Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2	Peyton deserved his second ring to secure his legacy.

02-12-2010, 12:37 AM	#7
Aries202 Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 569	Still upset Colts lost, well played by the Saints with the "ambush". Maybe next year Indy.