Jackson Free Press

Ahhh, humble pie. I have never acquired the taste for it, but have had to devour it on many occasions. Haven't most of us? I am more of a beignet kind of guy. Love the sweetness and the caked-on powdered sugar gloves that comes along with consuming them. And we all know where the best beignets are served: The Big Easy. Many duplicate the original, but none ever comes close to it, well kind of. They are served hot and fresh with coffee that wakes you up just by the smell. Served 24 hours a day, it is one of the must-do's on my visits.

I am sure that all the New Orleans Saints players have had their fair share of beignets. But what I am also sure of is that they have not had any humble pie. They do not need it. I have never seen a football team, heck, any kind of professional sports team filled with multi-millionaires carry humbleness on their shoulders, in their hearts or spoken in their words as the New Orleans Saints have this year. They have truly honored the City of New Orleans with their on-field play. But deeper than that is how they have honored the city with their off-field actions.

This is not a new "thing" with the team, either. I am pretty positive it arrived with Deuce (I love not having to write his last name and everyone know who I am talking about). It's arrival was sweet. However, the crescendo began to form when Sean Payton and Drew Brees came to town. Their passion for the city, for the people and for doing the right thing, coupled with what Deuce had already lain down was exact and purposeful.

I will never forget a phone call I received from my sister two weeks after Katrina. She said in an excited yet nervous voice, "Langston, you will not believe this. Deuce and Fred McAffee are on their way to the shelter at the church. They are bringing food and a big-screen television for everyone." I was just as excited and nervous for her. Unfortunately, I could not make it down to the church to meet them, but I was able to see what they brought.

Mind you, this church was not a 2000-member church with a campus that needs a golf cart for touring. No, this is a church in Byram with barely 200 members and about 50 families of evacuees. This is humbleness. This is not doing it because it is part of the job. This is knowing that there were people from their city that needed help. And, they did it. Not for the press, not for the glory, but to serve and to do the right thing. No humble pie needed.

The Saints' humbleness is about Brees asking people to vote for his idea of funding the New Orleans American Cancer Society's Hope House in New Orleans. This was part of a Pepsi promotion that gave the NFL player with the most votes $100,000 to put toward their idea. Guess what? Brees won! He campaigned for it this week. Oh, did I mention he was mentally preparing for the biggest game of his life? He put people first. No humble pie needed.

So many things have been written about the Saints and their service, so there is really no need to regurgitate it. You know what they have done. Even if they do not win on Sunday, they have won! They have done it. They have made a tremendous impact on the city, on its people, on its soul and on the nation. A win on the field is just an extra, a bonus. But, bet your next paycheck on this, if they do win on the field, the first people that the players and coaches will thank is the people of the City of New Orleans. No humble pie needed! WHO DAT!

Previous Comments

ID

155788

Comment

Tangentially related (and not really news, but I couldn't resist), Politico has "Brownie" on record rooting for Indianapolis. "I have to go with the Colts," Brown told the POLITICO Podcast. "I just tend to follow them more and I've just never been a real Saints fan. It's nothing more than that." The story goes on to note that the former FEMA director now hosts a political radio show on KOA in Denver, having, perhaps, fallen somewhat from he previous stature?

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2010-02-06T15:23:45-06:00

ID

155790

Comment

That's unbelievable! Why wouldn't you just keep your damn mouth shut in this case. This could be the karma we need. HIS.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-02-06T19:00:43-06:00

ID

155792

Comment

How can a man so responsible (irresponsible) for the aftermath from Katrina not be pulling for not only the Saints, but the people of the City of New Orleans? Please! And furthermore, for anyone to give him a public platform to spread his ignorance is unbelievable!

Author

Langston Moore

Date

2010-02-06T20:02:16-06:00

ID

155810

Comment

Are you the Moorebully that calls up all the local sports shows?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-02-08T11:53:00-06:00

ID

155811

Comment

Yes I am golden eagle and you are?

Author

Langston Moore

Date

2010-02-08T12:00:46-06:00

ID

155814

Comment

I just listen to a lot of the sports talk shows and recognized your name.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-02-08T12:46:08-06:00