a month ago
3
6
Posted On: October 5th 2026, 07:43 pm
Tagged Users:
The day was September 25, 2006.
Thirteen months earlier, Hurricane Katrina had ravaged the city of New Orleans, claiming hundreds of lives and changing many more forever. The images of the disaster were still fresh in the minds of those who watched it unfold on television. People stranded on top of submerged homes pleading for help. Coast Guard helicopters and boats manned by local citizens racing to rescue as many survivors as they could. Tens of thousands of people packed into the Superdome, trying to survive in sweltering heat without electricity or running water.
Many New Orleanians were forced to permanently relocate as a result of the storm. Those who stayed faced a difficult challenge to rebuild their city and their lives. However, throughout the painful recovery, the Crescent City never lost its resilient spirit.
On that Monday night in September, the game of football took on a greater meaning.
The "Domecoming" marked the return of both the city and its football team from the aftermath of Katrina. For the first time since the hurricane, New Orleans fans gathered in the very place that had become a symbol of their resilience. U2 and Green Day started the game with a tribute concert. Emotions ran high. Tears were shed. The sight of the players and cheerleaders back in the Dome after the long absence was like a rainbow after the storm. New Orleans was back.
Over the summer, the Saints had brought in a new quarterback, Drew Brees, and a new coach, Sean Payton, who would soon lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory. Their 23-3 MNF win over the Falcons that night would be their first of 81 victories together in the Superdome. As Brees noted in his recent HOF induction speech, no Saints fan will ever forget where they were during that game. A statue outside the stadium commemorates Steve Gleason's blocked punt on the first possession which sent the city into a cathartic frenzy.
Tonight the Saints will celebrate the 2006 "Domecoming" game and reflect on a night 20 years ago when the people of New Orleans needed their football team - and their cheerleaders - more than ever. 💛🖤⚜️🏈🌈
@saintskrewe
#Domecoming #Saintsations #NFLCheerleaders
Thirteen months earlier, Hurricane Katrina had ravaged the city of New Orleans, claiming hundreds of lives and changing many more forever. The images of the disaster were still fresh in the minds of those who watched it unfold on television. People stranded on top of submerged homes pleading for help. Coast Guard helicopters and boats manned by local citizens racing to rescue as many survivors as they could. Tens of thousands of people packed into the Superdome, trying to survive in sweltering heat without electricity or running water.
Many New Orleanians were forced to permanently relocate as a result of the storm. Those who stayed faced a difficult challenge to rebuild their city and their lives. However, throughout the painful recovery, the Crescent City never lost its resilient spirit.
On that Monday night in September, the game of football took on a greater meaning.
The "Domecoming" marked the return of both the city and its football team from the aftermath of Katrina. For the first time since the hurricane, New Orleans fans gathered in the very place that had become a symbol of their resilience. U2 and Green Day started the game with a tribute concert. Emotions ran high. Tears were shed. The sight of the players and cheerleaders back in the Dome after the long absence was like a rainbow after the storm. New Orleans was back.
Over the summer, the Saints had brought in a new quarterback, Drew Brees, and a new coach, Sean Payton, who would soon lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory. Their 23-3 MNF win over the Falcons that night would be their first of 81 victories together in the Superdome. As Brees noted in his recent HOF induction speech, no Saints fan will ever forget where they were during that game. A statue outside the stadium commemorates Steve Gleason's blocked punt on the first possession which sent the city into a cathartic frenzy.
Tonight the Saints will celebrate the 2006 "Domecoming" game and reflect on a night 20 years ago when the people of New Orleans needed their football team - and their cheerleaders - more than ever. 💛🖤⚜️🏈🌈
@saintskrewe
#Domecoming #Saintsations #NFLCheerleaders
Comments (6)
More posts
