New Orleans honors the post-Katrina reopening of the Superdome with a star-studded parade, a performance by Irma Thomas, and a special appearance by legend Drew Brees.
The New Orleans Saints take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. That sentence alone should generate plenty of excitement for Saints fans.
The Falcons and Saints have had plenty of high leverage games over the years, but one such matchup sparked the beginning of a new era of New Orleans football. It was a moment many Saints fans will never forget.
20 years ago, Saints fans returned to the Superdome after enduring the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane caused major devastation across New Orleans and forced many in the area to relocate.
The Saints' first game back in New Orleans was a Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons. Now, the team is celebrating that game with a 20th anniversary Monday night matchup.
John Sigler of Saints Wire discussed the team's plans for the game.
"All eyes will be on the Caesars Superdome when the New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. It's the twentieth anniversary of the 'Domecoming' game, when the Saints returned for their first home game after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, the state, and the entire Gulf South. And the team is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the date.
The day's festivities will begin with a 'second line' walking parade at 3 p.m. CT, beginning at Lafayette Square and ending at the Caesars Superdome. New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno has prepared remarks for the occasion and commemorative "Rebirth" handkerchiefs will be given to the first 500 attendees. The Times-Picayune | The Advocate's Jeff Duncan reports that Drew Brees will be in attendance.
After that, Irma Thomas will again perform the national anthem, this time joined by River Eckert, a 16-year-old pianist born and raised in New Orleans. The Grammy Award-winning singer is a native of Ponchatoula, La. and has earned a reputation as the 'Soul Queen of New Orleans.' Thomas, of course, sang the national anthem all those years ago when the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina."
The game was significant because it meant that the Saints were back to stay, but it also began a Saints Golden era led by innovative head coach Sean Payton and Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. The win was one of many that would follow as New Orleans became an offensive powerhouse for the next 10 years and more.
The Saints are hoping to make a similar statement in this year's matchup to outduel Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson and the Falcons. They will look to make that happen with another win to get to 2-2 on the season.
