Saints Tom Benson Proud Owner Of New Orleans NFL Champions

By: Mary Smith
02/09/2010 09:36 AM ET

Tom Benson can finally tell other coaches in the league that his Saints are Super Bowl champions. It took 43 years to appear in the NFL championship game, and 4 hours to beat a big team like the Indianapolis Colts. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters that the New Orleans win was more than a football game.

“I keep thinking of the word magical, when you think about the relationship between the Saints and the Gulf Coast and the city of New Orleans,” Goodell said in a statement. “It was more than just a football game and more than just a football team. The hopes, dreams and struggles of that community were all reflected in that football team… It was a great night for the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. I think they lifted one another,” he added.

More than 100 million fans watched the Saints’ victory at home from their televisions. It seems like most Americans were celebrating the 31-17 victory early in the fourth quarter along with Benson. A roaring crowd could be heard from various bars and restaurants in the French Quarter as the Saints intercepted the football to guarantee their win.

Superdome was once a symbol of defeat now shines as Super Bowl champions

Benson is now a sport’s legend and so is his team. The city of New Orleans and the region was wrecked by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Victims of the storm found themselves at the Superdome after losing everything. It was also a time when Benson felt helpless, and perhaps, hopeless of owning a championship NFL franchise.

The Superdome was there for shelter and comfort. It was the only hope most people had after losing their homes. However, the stadium now shines as Benson and the Saints call it the new home of Super Bowl victory.

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