NEW ORLEANS – In a city that doesn’t need an excuse for a parade, tens of thousands of people jammed downtown streets to greet the World Champion New Orleans Saints on one of the traditional idle days of Mardi Gras parading.
Traffic was slowed to a crawl and there were reports of cars sitting for hours waiting to get a glimpse of the city’s first Super Bowl champion in 44 years.
Saints players were treated like royalty and it’s doubtful that any of the parades over this weekend would garner the enthusiasm of people who turned out in nearly 30-degree weather.
“Everyone here tonight can’t touch this,” said an exuberant coach Sean Payton, who blew kisses to the crowd, before telling them they all had a role in the team’s success.
The parade was put on with a historic level of cooperation between Mardi Gras krewes, each of whom donated a signature float from their respective parades.
"How's the 'Who Dat' nation feel tonight?" Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees yelled when his float stopped at the reviewing stand. "This toast goes out to you. We love you and we won that championship for you."
Brees was visibly excited and danced at Gallier Hall, and an untold number of versions of the team’s unofficial anthem, “Get Crunk” were blared over speaker systems or played by marching bands, including the Marine Corps band who broke with their traditional rigid form to play like a New Orleans brass band.
Plans to close streets just before parade time were scuttled when the route soon became jammed with parade goers. Reports of traffic included 2,000 people waiting for a ferry to cross from the city’s west bank to the east bank – that trip came with an estimated three-hour wait.
Others reported crawling in traffic similar to the slowdowns experienced during hurricane evacuations. Even though most schools let out around half day, many people had trouble traversing the city’s streets.
On a high since winning the NFC Championship Game that sent the Saints to the Super Bowl, the parade is a culmination of fan fervor. However, with Mardi Gras parades beginning in earnest Wednesday and with several Saints players scheduled to ride in the traditional parades, the celebration is expected to continue for at least a week.
In what can be described as “Only in New Orleans,” the Marine Corps band revved the crowd up with a rendition of “Get Crunk.”
“I think it’s what we’ve been through with Katrina. That brought us together on a bad note and finally there’s something to bring us together on a positive note,” said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser.
The level of support from the divergent parishes and cities has been evident as the entire region has rallied around the miraculous season.
"This is Endymion. This is Orpheus all wrapped into one," said Jerry Romig, the Saints announcer at the Superdome for 41 years. "Fantastic. What a day. What a week. What a year."
