With this weekend being 5 years removed from the Saints winning the NFC Championship Game against the Vikings, I thought I'd share a poem I wrote a couple months after we won the SB.

I started going to games in the Dome in the mid 90s towards the end of the Mora Era. I never witnessed a playoff game until the Rams/Saints game in 2001. I was in 8th grade when "Hakeem Dropped the Ball", but couldn't really appreciate the significance of that game. However, at that time, I knew it was the most memorable moment in Saints' history.

The NFC Championship game always stuck with me though. I had never shed a tear about a sporting event until that night. I had also been diagnosed with thyroid cancer 6 months prior, so that may had something to do with it. The Saints won it all 2 weeks later and I was lucky enough to have been at Lucy's the Tuesday night of the SB parade to see Brees do the pregame chant. I had met him just an hour before in the back room and had the opportunity to personally thank him for "Getting me through the last 6 months". It was overall just an incredible, once in a lifetime experience.

I felt extremely blessed to have witnessed these series of events, and ultimately wrote the following poem a few months later. I was hesitant to post it 5 years ago, but thought the time was right to do so today. Hope you enjoy.

“The Kick Heard Across the Bayou”

The Super Dome’s filled with both young and old,
Eager for triumph by the Black and Gold.
The Lord’s Prayer is said by thousands at home,
Hoping years of gloom will end in the Dome.

As coaches and players lock arms and hands,
The sign of the cross is made by some fans.
Brad Childress calls time to instill fear and doubt,
But Sean Payton takes a less methodical route.

“Hit the #$@&%*! Fleur de lis”, he tells the kicker,
Although real calm, Sean’s never felt sicker.
But as the kid lines up and nods at Brunell,
The guys in purple start to taunt and yell.

The ball is snapped and the lineman engage,
Vikings bull rush with fury and rage.
Arms shoot up with hands fully extended,
But the Saints o-line would not be upended.

Hundreds of Saint’s fans are holding their breath,
“Please don’t let holding be called by the ref!”
But as the ball rises up into the air,
Flash bulbs go off, and everyone stares.

The ball hits the net, the crowd is ecstatic,
Never had a kick seemed more automatic!
Beer bottles fly, strangers hug and kiss,
Who actually thought Garrett Hartley would miss?!

The trumpets blare as confetti pours down,
People dance and parade throughout the town.
Grown men are crying as they hold onto their beers,
High from above Buddy D. sheds some tears.

The crowd yells “Deuccceee” as he takes the mic.
Next is Tom Benson, who boogies all night.
Payton hoists the trophy-- no hesitation,
His words of Katrina give inspiration.

Drew Brees’ is last, his presence uncanny,
The city agrees to “Finish Strong in Miami”
“Best in the world” he says praising the fans,
Strong and proud is where New Orleans now stands.