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Feb 2, 2010
Council to consider Saints resolution
GULFPORT - The City Council today will vote on a 3-page resolution, officially "commending the New Orleans Saints football team and organization on a successful football season and becoming World Champions.
In giving a bit of Who Dat history, the resolution says, "ever since this first game, when the opening kickoff was returned ninety-four (94) yards for a touchdown, residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and within the City of Gulfport in particular, have become loyal fans and followers of the Saints, and members of the Who Dat Nation."
South Mississippians were glued to televisions Sunday when the Saints made history by winning the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy, thumping the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV.
"This Saints season has given all of Gulfport even more reason to spend time with families and friends," said Councilman Rusty Walker, who co-sponsored the resolution. "The resolution we are passing today is to memorialize this season for all of us who feel every bit as proud as anyone in Louisiana."
The resolution also congratulates quarterback Drew Brees on his Super Bowl record-tying 32 pass completions and his completion percentage of 82.1, which was the second-highest in a Super Bowl, earning him the game's Most Valuable Player honor.
"The New Orleans Saints have meant just as much to the people of South Mississippi as they have for those in Louisiana," said Councilman Ricky Dombrowski, who co-sponsored the resolution. "Many of us were at Tulane Stadium for that very first game, and the season they put together this year has ultimately been an inspiration to us all; we learned that perseverance and hard work will eventually pay off."
In addition, the resolution commends head coach Sean Payton on reaching the top of the NFL while "instilling discipline, character and integrity."
"This season and this Super Bowl win has been a rebirth of sorts for all of us," Walker said. "The Saints and their fans have never given up, and through the Saints we have shown the world that the entire Gulf region is being reborn because our people have that same never-give-up spirit."
Here is the full text of the resolution:
A RESOLUTION BY THE GULFPORT CITY COUNCIL COMMENDING THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FOOTBALL TEAM AND ORGANIZATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL SEASON AND BECOMING SUPER BOWL XLIV CHAMPIONS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
WHEREAS, the City of New Orleans was awarded a franchise by the National Football League (“NFL”) on November 1, 1966, and which team was aptly named the “Saints”; and
WHEREAS, the New Orleans Saints football team played its first game in the NFL on September 17, 1967, in Tulane Stadium in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, ever since this first game, when the opening kickoff was returned ninety-four (94) yards for a touchdown, residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and within the City of Gulfport in particular, have become loyal fans and followers of the Saints, and members of the “Who Dat” Nation; and
WHEREAS, the Saints did not record their first winning season until 1987, a year when they also entered the play-offs for the first time ever; and
WHEREAS, during the 2000 season, the New Orleans Saints posted their first play-off victory and in the 2006 season the Saints earned their way to the playoffs again and had their first trip to the National Football Conference (“NFC”) Championship game; and
WHEREAS, the Saints began the 2009 season by winning their first thirteen (13) games and setting a record for the longest stretch to open a season undefeated by an NFC team since the American Football League-National Football League merger; and
WHEREAS, the Saints clinched an NFC playoff berth and had home field advantage in the playoffs by finishing the 2009 NFL season with a record of 13 wins and only 3 losses, the best in the history of the Saints organization; and
WHEREAS, the team advanced to the 2009 NFC Championship game and there defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in an exciting overtime victory to be able to play in their first Super Bowl; and
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2010, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV by a score of 31-17 over the Indianapolis Colts, after matching the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, and earning their first Super Bowl appearance and victory in the franchise’s 43 years; and
WHEREAS, Quarterback Drew Brees completed a record-tying thirty-two (32) passes in Super Bowl XLIV, had a completion percentage of 82.1, which was the second-highest in a Super Bowl game, and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the game; and
WHEREAS, television ratings for Super Bowl XLIV were the highest for any television program in the history of ratings for any program as the Saints have come to endear themselves to the entire nation; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Sean Payton and his staff have led the New Orleans Saints atop the elite of the National Football League while instilling discipline, character, and integrity in the men and team they coach; and
WHEREAS, the leadership and devotion of General Manager Mickey Loomis and Owners Tom Benson and his granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc have been instrumental to compiling a winning team and a special group of players; and
WHEREAS, each player, coach, manager, and staff member dedicated this season and their efforts to ensure the New Orleans Saints reached their goal of winning a first-ever Super Bowl championship and have displayed excellence both on and off the field; and
WHEREAS, the Saints’ players showed tremendous dedication to each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to their opponents, and respect for the game of football throughout the 2009 season; and
WHEREAS, the resiliency and determination the Saints team demonstrated during this season has brought pride to our community and to the “Who Dat” Nation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and Mayor (“Governing Authority”) of the City of Gulfport desire to memorialize and publish the celebrated achievements of the New Orleans Saints.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the matters, facts, and things recited in the Preamble hereto are hereby adopted as the official findings of the Governing Authority.
SECTION 2. That the New Orleans Saints football team, Head Coach Sean Payton, and the organization’s coaching and administrative staff be, and they are hereby commended for their successful and historic 2009 season and for winning Super Bowl XLIV and becoming National Football League Champions.
SECTION 3. That the tremendous dedication the players and coaching staff demonstrated to each other and to their local communities, the appreciation they showed to their fans, and sportsmanship exhibited to their opponents, both on and off the field, should be, and hereby are recognized as inspiring to our City and residents.
SECTION 4. The Council Clerk is hereby directed to spread this Resolution on the Minutes of the City Council, and to furnish certified copies to Head Coach Sean Payton and Owners Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc.
The above and foregoing Resolution, after having been first reduced to writing and read by the Clerk, was introduced by __________________, seconded by __________________, and was adopted by the following roll call vote: AYES NAYS ABSENT
WHEREUPON, the President declared the motion carried and the Resolution adopted, this the _________ day of _________________, 2010.
(SEAL)
ATTEST: ADOPTED:
_______________________ _________________________
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
The above and foregoing Resolution submitted to and approved by the Mayor, this the _________ day of ____________________, 2010.
___________________________
MAYOR
Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
