A person born and raised in New Orleans never loses the connection with the New Orleans Saints. In addition, it is possible to be adopted into the frenzy of wanting more. There is no gray area about being a Saints fan. It’s impossible. Just like a culinary dish done right — red beans and rice go together with the Saints unlike any other.
Red Beans and Nola Fans Combine to Make Magic For the Saints
The Build Up
Outside of New Orleans, red beans and rice sounds pretty boring. Seriously can those two things together provide a superpower? Yes, it can. The smell of a well-cooked concoction to a local New Orleanian provides a certain intoxicating aroma. And the fans’ relationship are no different.
Without a doubt, the build-up to kickoff resembles a pot boiling to make any grown man cry. And these are tears of joy. Actually, more than tears of joy. It’s almost a religious experience. Some would say it is.
The smells and sounds of a Saints game can rival a good pot of red beans too. The build-up is the best part. Sleeping the night before any big game is challenging. It’s like waiting to be married the next day. Or perhaps the day before graduation. A few diehards have been known to name pets and children after their favorite players.
A Way of Life
It’s a lifestyle. Who Dat Nation is its own planet. The whole mix of generation after generation passes on the stories to the next. Ironically, recipes are eerily similar too. Debates about how red beans should be made — what is allowed in them still gather enough gumption to compare into infinity. Be that as it may, both are interchangeable in certain instances.
People show up to be stimulated by a fresh dish of steamy red magic and rice to make your hair stand up on your arm. At the same time, people plan their whole week on a Saints game.
Years ago, there was a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles back in the 1990’s. This is a true story. There were four of us scheduled to work on a particular day at a specific time. Now before I divulge the rest of this story — in no means I recommend calling into work to fake a sickness. So there’s my adult advice but back to the story.
Three of us called in sick because of a rare virus spreading through the area. Anyway, our last buddy — let’s call him “Erxleben” for fantasy purposes. All of us told him to not to wait too long.
He called in to the toughest of all managers but he held his ground. We all nearly lost our jobs, but it’s all about the principle. See the Saints didn’t win that day. That one hurt. But the fact of the matter is, black and old never ever gets cold.
The Greatest Show to Binge on
In other words, if the truth be told — Saints fans (including us idiots) are a bit on the crazy side. Saints games drive fans nuts. Just thinking of red beans and rice right now puts me in a frame of mind. Oh it crosses the line for sure. Call it obsession, delirious, or straight out addicts. Either way, this is the way it’s been done. Nuthin’ ain’t changing.
And September is closing in. Football weather is coming! Nothing beats a hot homemade plate of red beans and rice waiting for the voice to say “dig in.”
Who Dat Nation is hungry for a winner.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
