Saints ain’t so saintly…

Monday, September 26, 2006, I was happy. On that evening, the New Orleans Saints played the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night football in New Orleans, the first game there since Hurricane Katrina. I was happy because I thought we were done hearing the crap that was all over Sportscenter the entinre week before that game. All they talked about was how wonderful this game was for the city of New Orleans, and how it symbolized the rebirth of the city, and how now the people of New Orleans have something to rally around… until I wanted to vomit. I thought we were done with it. But now, it turns out the Saints are actually good (and fun to watch, although that has nothing to do with this rant), and it’s creeping back into the rhetoric of TV announcers. More nausea-inducing talk about what this team is doing for the city of New Orleans. I’m tired of it. It’s complete bullshit made up by people who want to pretend the whole Katrina situation is behind us, and it needs to stop.

Many of the people who were affected by the hurricane don’t give a shit about football. You know why? Because they don’t have a place to live right now. Last time I checked, the major priorities for living had food, clothing and shelter right up there at the top. Pretty sure having a football team to root for isn’t even in the top 20. These people might not even have access to a TV to watch the game, much less be able to afford the exorbitant fee it costs to go to a football game these days. In reality, the Saints are closer to doing nothing for them at all.

If the people in the Saints organization really cared about the city of New Orleans, they would have spent their $150 million building houses instead of fixing their damaged stadium so their overpaid players wouldn’t have to travel so much. And you know what? I don’t fault them for their decision. They’re a business and they made the best decision for themselves. That’s what businesses do and that’s how capitalism works. But can we please, pretty please, everyone stop pretending like they did New Orleans a favor here. They served their own interests and everyone can’t stop acting like they are actually Saints for doing it.