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The New Orleans Saints: A team like no other

By Tyler Raymond

Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans celebrate during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The New Orleans Saints defeated the San Francisco 49ers 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans celebrate during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The New Orleans Saints defeated the San Francisco 49ers 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints are an organization like no other in the National Football League.

Every fan base likes to argue that the team they represent is the best in its respective league. That, of course, includes fans of every team here in the National Football League. Although different teams’ fans have said such things on why they think their organization is amazing, the New Orleans Saints have a pretty good reason themselves. In this week’s article, I’ll be covering what has made the New Orleans Saints such a unique, amazing organization.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 

Referenced in the famous song, “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, this line refers to people overcoming great tragedy, and adversity only to come back even better, stronger, and greater than ever before. This line practically embodies the New Orleans Saints, and its organization at this point, and here’s why.

NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 11: The Superdome, where city residents took refuge, is shown damaged after Hurricane Katrina September 11, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Katrina devastated large parts of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast August 29, 2005. The Category Four Hurricane breached levees that protected New Orleans, which is roughly 70 percent below sea below, causing catastrophic flooding. (Photo by Jerry Grayson/Helifilms Australia PTY Ltd/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 11: The Superdome, where city residents took refuge, is shown damaged after Hurricane Katrina September 11, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Katrina devastated large parts of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast August 29, 2005. The Category Four Hurricane breached levees that protected New Orleans, which is roughly 70 percent below sea below, causing catastrophic flooding. (Photo by Jerry Grayson/Helifilms Australia PTY Ltd/Getty Images) /

Before the New Orleans Saints hosted the infamous Lombardi Trophy and won the team’s first Super Bowl the organization faced grueling and uncertain times. Hurricane Katrina, which unfortunately killed hundreds upon thousands of people, dealt physical damage to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the home of the Saints was in jeopardy. The chances of the New Orleans Saints moving to San Antonio was very real. For those who didn’t know the Saints (luckily only temporarily) relocated to San Antonio in 2005 because obviously, the Saints were unable to host any games immediately after the Hurricane.

For someone who personally saw the anguish the city was in and the agony the citizens of New Orleans were facing, it was brutal. For those who didn’t know, sometime after Hurricane Katrina happened, my church and I went down on a Mission Trip to help clean the 9th Ward, an area severely impacted by the Hurricane.

The Saints at this point were in low times, practically the lowest the organization has ever been. Luckily for the Saints, when you’re at the lowest, there is only one way to go, up. After the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was in suitable condition, the Saints came back to their city, with a chip on their shoulder. The Saints knew the hopelessly devastated fans of New Orleans were counting on them to bring back their spirits, and the team didn’t let them down.

The Saints knew the hopelessly devastated fans of New Orleans were counting on them to bring back their spirits, and the team came back stronger for the fans and the citizens of New Orleans. Only one year later after having to move temporarily to another city, the Saints marched their way back into winning games and did it proudly for the fans. Believe it or not, it would be only a couple of years later before the Saints won the Lombardi Trophy.

So, in the end, the Saints gave their fans something to hold onto after everyone just about lost everything. These reasons here are what makes the New Orleans Saints so great. Giving something to look forward to after devastating times just goes to show just how remarkable this NFL team is. The truth of the tale is the New Orleans Saints are connected to the fans more than people would naturally assume.

Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans are seen in the stands during the game against the New York Giants at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans are seen in the stands during the game against the New York Giants at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

The bond the New Orleans Saints share with its fans is something I believe no other team in the National Football League has. Although as unfortunate and devastating the natural disaster was, it did bring one positive thing if you look at it this way.

Hurricane Katrina temporarily disbanded the Saints from New Orleans, but when the team returned they had come back stronger and emotionally fueled. In my opinion, in an emotional sense, this tragedy created a large bond, or bridge with the organization’s fans, who at the time were also suffering. Nobody will ever forget this national tragedy that took place, but Saints fans and New Orleans citizens will remember what the team personally did for them, and this magnificent city.

What better fit, Unique Team, Unique Fans.

It’s been obvious for some time that the New Orleans Saints have some amazing fans, fans that’ll gladly represent their team any day any time. These fans are what make up the heart and soul of not only the Who Dat Nation but the New Orleans Saints themselves.

I took to the internet to personally interview some of these Saints fans, and recognize some of the Who Dat Nation. Below are their stories, and experiences related to the New Orleans Saints, which I strongly recommend everyone check out.

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