monday night football

I've never been interested in football. I used to think the best, and only, reason to go to a game was for the big cups of beer and the giant pretzels to soak up some of that beer. But tonight is the home opener for the Saints and the first game in the Dome since Katrina and I've got to say that I'm really interested in football at this moment.

I hate to admit it, but I want the Saints to win. But it pains me to admit that because over the years I've rooted for the Saints, only to have my heart broken by their loses. And I think the city needs a win. It needs something positive to focus on while it still struggles to move towards normalcy.

For the first time in 40 years all the home games are sold out. That may not sound like anything special, but it's a huge deal for New Orleans, especially considering how much of the population has moved on to new cities.

My family used to have season tickets to the games. They really were great seats, right at the 50 yard line, about 10 to 15 rows up, on the away team's side. Most of the people around us had their tickets forever, just like us. Some of these people could remember seeing me as a little kid joining my Grandad at the games, and because of this it was more like hanging out with friends than going to a game. I wish that we still had those tickets and that I still lived in New Orleans. I really wish I could attend this game and pretend nothing has changed.

U2 and Green Day playing half time are definitely fueling my desire to want to attend, but really it all boils down to pride for the boys in black and gold.

Geaux Saints!