BizJournals Portfolio

The March of the Saints

Sep 21 2007

Back to: Rita's Hail Mary Pass

Rita at 10
Sideline
Post-Katrina Superdome
Superdome
Mike Ditka
Reggie Bush
Bag Men
Pete Rozelle
Rita Benson LeBlanc
1 of 12
A Girl's Playground
Rita Benson, age 10, celebrating a Saints win in the Superdome with her grandfather in 1987.
A Super Win
New Orleans Saints executive vice president Rita Benson LeBlanc dances on the sideline as time runs out in their football game with the Atlanta Falcons at the newly re-opened Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on September 25, 2006. The Saints won 23-3.
After Katrina
Stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina rest inside the Superdome September 2, 2005 in New Orleans. Thousands of troops poured into the city September 2 to help with security and delivery of supplies in the wake of the killer storm.
From the Sky
Highway overpasses stand empty and floodwaters fill surrounding neighborhoods as the battered, balding roof of the Superdome dominates the devastated cityscape.
The Coach
New Orleans Saints coach Mike Ditka with team during mini camp in Metairie, La., on April 4, 1996.
Bush is Back
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush runs during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome. The game was the first event in the Louisiana Superdome a year after it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and used as a shelter from the storm by tens of thousands of people.
Bag Men
New Orleans Saints fans wear paper bags over the heads during the singing of the National Anthem before the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome December 12, 1999. The return of the "bagheads" was brought about by the Saints 2-10 season. The Rams won, 30-14.
The Commissioner
National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle (second from the right) inspecting the Louisiana Superdome with Rep. Hale Boggs (second from the left) of Louisiana, Tulane University Athletic Director Rix Yard (right) and Darwin Fenner on October 1, 1966.
Rita's Guys
Rita Benson LeBlanc with quarterback Drew Brees (left) and running back Reggie Bush, photographed at the Saints training facility in Metairie, La., on June 12, 2007.