Many times, through too many tortuous seasons, I had wondered if by some miracle the Saints ever played in a Super Bowl, how would the game end? Odds were, based on precedent, that they would lose, but what if – what if they actually won, what would the winning moment look like? As tortured as the team’s lifelong record had been, the big win, if it came, would not likely be an easy one – perhaps some last second “Hail Mary” pass carried across the goal line by a Saints receiver whose offensive pass interference penalty was not noticed by the refs, or maybe a last minute fumble by the other side picked up by a burley Saints lineman who plowed into the end zone.
If we were to ever know the answer to that question it came on the hallowed evening of Feb. 7, 2010 at Miami Gardens’ Sun Life stadium as the Saints faced the Indianapolis Colts. Among the players cheered in pregame introductions was a native New Orleanian, who was one of the most respected Quarterbacks in the game, and certainly the person most likely to make the difference in the outcome. Unfortunately, it was Peyton Manning wearing the rival’s blue and white.
For the Saints, the quarterback was Drew Brees, himself, highly respected, and generally expected to be a winner, except for maybe when he was playing against Peyton Manning.
We heard a lot about Brees this past week as he was elected to the NFL’s Hall of Fame – not just as an afterthought but as a first round selection.
All the talk about Brees brought to mind that night in Miami Gardens when there could finally be an answer to the question of how the game ended.
We knew right away that the game did not begin well as the Colts took a 10-6 lead into the halftime. As it was looking, if the Saints were to win, the final play would have to be a doozy.
As it turned out, there would an all-time doozy in the first play of the second half. The Saints performed what might be the gutsiest play in Super Bowl history. Kicking off to the Colts, punter Thomas Morstead skillfully placed an “onside” kick, meaning that if a ball goes more than 10 yards, either team is eligible to get it. Usually that means the other team, but the Colts were caught off guard. Saints ball! Soon after, they scored a touchdown and the team never looked back.
So, now we are at the closing seconds of the game with the Saints having an insurmountable 31-17 lead. Brees completed 32 of 39 passes and would be named the game’s most valuable player. But the really big play was about to come. With only seconds left and in control of the ball the Saints came out of the huddle and lined up. All those thoughts about a “Hail Mary” pass or a stolen fumble were no longer relevant. As called by Brees, no doubt with the advice and consent of Head Coach Sean Payton, the Saints “took a knee.” The remaining seconds ticked off and the guys from New Orleans were Super Bowl champions. Brees could add to his credentials, “Most kneels at the end of a Super Bowl.”
Yet an even bigger play was about to come. With the playing field covered by worshipping fans, the tv cameras captured an unforgettable shot of Brees. He was carrying his young son on the field. The boy was mercifully wearing supersized ear covers to block the noise that could have been heard back in New Orleans even without television. A father, son and a big sports victory. It was a spectacular visual moment.
One worthy of a Hall of Famer.
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BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS: Errol’s Laborde’s new book, “When Rex Met Zulu: And Other Chronicles of the New Orleans Experience,” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2024) is now available at local bookstores and websites.
Laborde’s other recent publications: “New Orleans: The First 300 Years” and “Mardi Gras: Chronicles of the New Orleans Carnival” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2017 and 2013), are available at the same locations.
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