20 years ago today. The Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina.

that was the most packed i've ever seen the dome. other than hartley kicking the fg to send them to the super bowl, i've never seen more people crying at an event. get goosebumps thinking about the release of emotion when gleason blocked that punt. everyone just went nuts.

On the Falcons first possession, Scott Fujita strip-sacked Michael Vick of the ball on 3rd down, and we had an easy scoop and score opportunity, but Byran Scott whiffed on the recovery and instead knocked the ball out of bounds. When it happened, I was so pissed. Well thank God that he didn't scoop and score, because the legend of Steve Gleason was born on the very next play. It was meant to be. I was very happy to be at the game with my dad.

That was the greatest, most meaningful, most incredible "in person" sporting event I have ever attended.

My experience:
I didn't have a ticket, but I just went down there to see if I could find one. Everyone and their brother was around the Dome tailgating. People on top of people. I was standing in line a very long line to pull money from an ATM on Poydas, wearing a Archie Manning throwback jersey with my finger in the air.

Out of nowhere, a guy walks up and offers to sell me his ticket for face value. His one condition was that I attend the game, and not resell the ticket. He wanted to hand pick the person that was going to sit next to him and his teenage daughter. I asked him, why he picked me out of the thousands looking for tickets, and he told me that the Archie Manning jersey told him that I was with the team through the lean times, and that I needed to be in that number.

It was the most incredible experience ever. I screamed until I couldn't talk while tears streamed down my face for at least half of the game. The Gleason play was the pinnacle, but the whole game was incredible from start to finish.

To this day, I do not know the guy that sold me the ticket. I kinda wish we stayed in touch, just to reminisce, and to thank him. Now, looking back, its almost like it was a dream that it happened, and I was fortunate enough to be there to experience it. I am so thankful for the generosity and randomness of the universe that this guy, his daughter, and I shared that experience.

Humbled by the experience.
SIDENOTE:
I never felt more pride for the city before that moment. The only thing that is in the same realm was the Super Bowl win (that I unfortunately did not attend).

Legit CSB.

I was there.
It was great to be back.
That was the most excitement before a game other than a playoff game.
The dome was rocking and the noise was deafening, especially after the blocked punt.
And we won the game. The balloon would have popped had we lost the game.

Not at all saying they should tear down the Super Dome and rebuild.

But, if they ever had a chance that was it. They should never move the Dome from its location.