Saints Deserve Hero Status in New Orleans

Jan. 19, 2007 — -- What we know about sports in general, and football in particular, is that we've developed a tendency to over-dramatize.

Erroneously, we lend games too much credence, give teams too much credit, make players larger-than-life heroes.

Watch the full essay today on the "World News" webcast.

Until this year.

Until this team, which is heading into the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

This year, the New Orleans Saints -- America's adopted team, if not America's team -- has shown that a sports franchise can earn and deliver all those things and more.

They've shown that a sports franchise can lead the way in a city's rebirth, that it can be as inspirational off the field as it is on turf.

In a sense, the Saints have taken New Orleans and the Gulf South by the hand, and ushered residents as they've taken sometimes shaky first steps.

Overstatement?

Not when people have been given the impetus to believe they can do the improbable and recreate their lives and city, all because the city's NFL franchise has advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in its 40-year history.

Not when citizens have been given reason to smile and galvanize to mimic the team that has staked its claim as the best in franchise history.

Not when watching a team try, and succeed, has been enough to make everyone want to give it a go and expect success.

Not when Saints players, coaches and front office personnel have poured themselves into the community like never before -- from running back Reggie Bush donating transportation to a law enforcement agency to quarterback Drew Brees establishing a charitable foundation.

Over-dramatized? Overstated?

Perhaps in other cases. But not this year. Not this team.