The sports media loves melodrama. But sometimes the script writes itself. And that was the case tonight in the New Orleans Superdome where the Saints played their first NFL game in the Big Easy since Hurricane Katrina. One of the strongest memories we all share is that of thousands of evacuees holed up in the Superdome in the days after the storm, and the desperate cries for help aired on national television. Only the convention center conjures more disturbing memories as the two buildings housed tens of thousands of mostly poor, mostly African American New Orleanians abandoned in a flooded hellhole. The stories – and rumors – of violence, mayhem and misery in the Superdome permanently scarred the image of a building long synonymous with Super Bowls, the Sugar Bowl, the lovable ‘Aints, the annual Grambling-Southern game (including its great Battle of the Bands) and NCAA Championships. If the Superdome and its bigger-than-life entertainment events symbolized the modern city of New Orleans before Katrina, the post-storm horrors there encapsulated for a live global audience the utter devastation and human tragedy that befell one of the most important cultural cities in the world.
Tonight the Superdome re-emerged as another symbol, but a more hopeful one. In a city still utterly ruined, with entire neighborhoods barren wastelands of shattered homes and cars, the Superdome offered one hopeful glimpse into the future. Spike Lee, in the booth discussing his recent documentary on the Katrina aftermath soberly reminded us, “After four hours of fun these folks are going back to their FEMA trailers.” But that reality was on hold for those four hours. Indeed, the game itself was as perfect as New Orleanians or, well, anybody other than a die-hard Falcons fan could dream: the Saints blocked a punt for a touchdown on the fourth play of the game, and went on to win 23-3. The crowd was absolutely electric, and remained that way for a half hour after the game ended. The signs and sights around the stadium showed one emotion – joy – that New Orleanians have had so much difficulty expressing this last year. For one night at least, the city of New Orleans could let the good times roll again.