So some people are angry at those who are now jumping on the band wagon of the “who dat nation”. My old football fan friend Xavier accused me of being one of them, like he forgot I was one of the original fans. I am very fortunate not to endure all the years of hardship with the Saints. When I showed up 1987 the team had already begun to show promise, in the 90’s we had that wicked defense. I think I have been loyal all the way, fighting those who in their hearts loved the Saints but had another team on the side to ensure they did not get totally heartbroken. We all have been kind of like that but deep on the inside we bled purple and gold. Sure it felt like the day would never come but every year when we held our super bowl party to look at other teams we are paying our dues.

No one could have told us it was going to be so sweet in that moment when Favre was picked off, when we won the toss, and when the ball split the upright. I got to admit with nineteen seconds to go in regulation it did not look so good. Even the most faithful of us begun to lose hope but here we are, NFC champions on the verge of history. This time I get to send the terrible towels to my friends in Pittsburg. Not the bridesmaid but the bride. We are going to Miami, no we are in Miami. So should we be acting like this over something so temporal? Is it spiritual to get all worked up, get jerseys printed and don tee shirts with “who dat” on front and back?. After all people in Haiti are still suffering, terrorist are still strapping on explosive devices and trying to kill us, unemployment is still beyond ten percent and the nation is ten trillion in debt.

All I can say is don’t ask me because I just can’t help myself. It really feels good to be going to the super bowl after all we have been through in this state. This is a moment to wipe the bitter taste of Katrina, Rita and Gustav out of our mouth. So maybe it does not solve all our problems but so what. Come Monday we will get up and go back to the…… well maybe Tuesday or Wednesday but you get the point. You see whether in sports or in life being a Saint means enduring the roughest of times and overcoming. It means defying the passage of time, trials, afflictions and troubles on every side but finding a way to keep going. It means being knocked down over and over but rising up again. It means watching others prosper right next to you and feeling like you have been forgotten by God and man but holding on to the bits and pieces of your faith. It means being displaced and doubted to the point you feel like you have been cursed.

It means being betted against so often , until even your hope begins to fade but you find the strength to renew it day by day. It means to know deep down, despite it all, your day is coming! This victory of the New Orleans Saints is a reminder of that. So go on and let yourself embrace this moment with joy. Because if you have never tasted any of these adversities, “you ain't no saint”! “It’s just a thought”!

It's Just A Thought

EF

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