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My four year journey has taken me around the National Football League in an effort to truly experience what's it's like to become a fan of each of the thirty-two franchises that are dotted throughout our nation. I've donned a head of cheese in Green Bay, swung a Terrible Towel in Pittsburgh, sung "Hail to the Redskins" and "Skol Vikings" in Washington and Minneapolis, I even assimilated into Raider Nation with shoulder pads and steel spikes. I've partied with some of the NFL's finest fans and tasted exceptional tailgate food prepared by the league's best blacktop culinarians. Along the way, I strived to uncover what true local fandom is all about, supporting the home team as one of it's own like an NFL Chameleon. So finally completing my journey on a late December weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was somewhat bittersweet for me. It was the end of an era but perhaps the beginning of something new as I look for a new challenge to occupy my time.

My wife Crystal and I left for New Orleans on Christmas Day 2009, as a twenty-hour road trip in the Quest Machine separated us from Stadium #31, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Leaving at around 8:00pm, we drove through the night, arriving in the Big Easy early on Saturday afternoon. In preparing for this trip, I had a difficult time trying to locate the local tailgating community. I checked with the usual sources, but it appears that your typical New Orleans Saints fan does a lot of their pregame celebration in the French Quarter, and I guess who could blame them with the world's most notorious bar district a mere few block from the Superdome. I did however, find that some continue to hold the lamp of traditional tailgating high, located in pockets surrounding the dome, but tailgating seemed a bit subdued in the Big Easy. Probably a reflection of the laid back, easy going nature of its residents.

During this trip unfortunately, I was afforded with very limited time for tailgating. Ever the shameless self-promoter, before heading to New Orleans, I send out my typical press release begging local media for any exposure they might provide.  I'm typically ignored (I never said I was a successful shameless self-promoter), but I figured, considering the completion of the Quest, that the local media might find my story somewhat interesting ... I find myself particularly fascinating, why wouldn't others? Much to my surprise they embraced it. The Times-Picayune sent a reporter to spent some time with me throughout the morning and three of the local television stations send camera crews to interview me in the shadow of the dome. It was actually rather gratifying to finally get some exposure for a body of work that was four years in the making.

Media Coverage began on gameday with an appearance on the TV6 morning show at 6:00AM. So after a night of pregame celebration on Bourbon Street, I awoke at 4:00am to begin the process of makeup  application that would transform me into the "Who Dat Joker" in honor of my final Quest for 31 stadium visit. Watching Saints games over the years on TV, I've always been impressed by the ingenuity of their costumed fans. They truly approach the quality of gameday apparel that Oakland Raider fans are notorious for, so I figured if I was going to the game, I was definitely going in a Saints-themed disguise. As an aside, I think I should mention that it's a rather humbling experience to have to have you wife adjust your makeup and reapply as necessary throughout the day, but I guess now I know how Gene Simmons feels. After the morning show, it was back to the hotel for a quick breakfast and then to the parking lot to seek out the New Orleans Saints faithful and get some fan reaction to this magical season they've been having, squeezing in an interview or two as I maneuvered from lot to lot.

After getting in some abbreviated face time with the Black and Gold Nation, I found that much of my morning was to be consumed by television and newspaper interviews. This was actually quite a bit of fun. The reporters were very patient with me as I jetted from one interview to the next, asking all types of questions about my journey and my impression of the city and its fans. One in particular, Doug MacCash from The Times-Picayune, took the time to follow me around as I hit the parking lot seeking out supporters of these New Orleans Saints. Between interview questions and photos, Doug followed as I interacted with fans, consumed a couple liquid beverages of choice, and recorded some of my own QuestCam interviews capturing local reactions to the home team's quest for a Super Bowl berth.

Outside the Superdome, adjacent to the south entrance, the New Orleans Saints organization sponsors their own tailgate party that's open to the public and features a live jazz band with some concessions for hungry fans. Lots of the Saints Faithful seemed to gather there for pregame libations and pro football chatter, so I spent the remainder of the morning posing for photos and talking a little gameday strategy. Due to my newfound notoriety, I was recognized as "The Quest Guy" or "Thirty-One" as several folks recognized me from the morning show appearance earlier in the day.

Gametime crept up on us unexpectedly, so Crystal and I headed into the Louisiana Superdome to find our seats in section 125. The Superdome is actually beginning to show its age with tighter concourses and dated architecture, but it still features plenty of restroom facilities and some exceptional local concessions reflecting the Cajun influence of the area. Fans can treat themselves to an alligator sausage, Kajun jambalaya, or a crawfish pie (I opted for the pie). I also noticed a lot more kids and families attending the game than I've seen throughout my travels around the league. It appears that the New Orleans Saints organization and Louisiana Superdome staff have found a way to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere that's free of the juvenile antics of the over-served football fan, which is a feat they should be commended for. I should also mention that in doing so, they haven't sacrificed the intensity or intimidation factor of the home crowd. The Saints fans are a spirited bunch that impressed me with an energy that manifests itself in a coordinated crowd noise putting them on par with the better fan bases in the league. Using the dome construction to their advantage, each time the Saints Defense took the field, a wall of disruptive noise was there to greet the opposing offense, visibly causing miscues throughout the game. In contrast, each time the Saints scored, it sets off a celebration that's like a mini Mardi Gras, as jubilant fans dance in the aisles each time the Saints breech the goal line or blast one through the uprights. Obviously the spirit of Bourbon Street follows these fans into the dome.

The game itself is an opportunity that got away from the Saints on this day. A win over the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers meant locking up home field advantage throughout the playoffs, securing that the route to the Super Bowl would travel through this dome of intimidation. The Saints got out to an early lead, but in the end, let Tampa get right back into the game. With just over two and a half minutes remaining in the game, the Buccaneers returned a punt 77-yards to pay dirt to tie the game and force over time. A missed field goal by Garrett Hartley was the Saints only scoring opportuntiy in the overtime period as the game was won by the right foot of Bucs Kicker Connor Barth from a distance of 47-yards.

A win for my final stadium on the Quest for 31 was apparently not in the cards. I do however want to thank the gracious New Orleans Saints fans and their city for embracing me and my four-year journey.  It was an honor to be among you, cheering on these New Orleans Saints amidst the energy and intensity that swirls through the Superdome at game time.  Truly an incredible experience and a fitting end to my Stadium Quest.


For more information on the city of New Orleans, LA checkout my other reviews by clicking on the links below:
     NBA: New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Arena - General Information
 

Best Restaurants:
French Quarter
       Galitoires (fine traditional New Orleans/Creole cuisine)
       ACME Oyster House (Seafood – moderate price)
       Muriels (traditional New Orleans cuisine)
       Central Grocery (try their Muffalata)
       Cafe Du Monde (gotta get a coffee there when in town)
Uptown
       Commander's Palace (best restaurant in the city $$)
       Lilette (fine dining – contemporary New Orleans)
       Dick & Jenny's (New Orleans/Creole, seafood – moderate price)    
       Frankie and Johnies (Seafood – reasonable)
Warehouse District
       Mother's (Soul Food – moderate price)
       August, Luke, Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar

Where To Stay:
Downtown New Orleans is home to parks, unique shops, arts, fine dining and much more. You’ll want to choose a hotel that allows you to experience as much of New Orleans as you can.   I suggest staying at Park Plaza or the Warwick Hotel.  The Roosevelt is a really nice upscale hotel with special pricing in the fall.

 
Planning Your Next Trip to see the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome?
Traveling to all thirty-one stadiums around the National Football League, teaches you a thing or two about getting the most for your money.  I've set up this website to help others that are interested in NFL Travel.  Below you'll find links for cheap New Orleans tickets, stadium seating charts, local weather, hotel, and flight information, everything you need to plan a successful trip to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.