Welcome Back to the Superdome

Last night was one of my must-see football games of the season. It was the return of the Saints to play in New Orleans for the first time since before Katrina. On Monday Night Football, no less. The game was all about emotion, and the Saints didn't disappoint. They moved to 3-0 on the season with a 23-3 walkover of the Atlanta Falcons. It was a great game and a great homecoming; even ESPN announcer Tony Kornheiser seems to be getting less annoying as the weeks progress.

Still, as I watched the pre-game, in which the announcers tried desperately to be both pleased at the return of football and somber about the troubled attempts to rebuild the rest of New Orleans, I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable about watching football played in a stadium where people lost their lives. It was a strange and surreal event. Football won't cure all the ails New Orleans. Nor will music, highlighted last night by some great performaces from U2 and Green Day, make all the difference. But I guess every step counts in new Orleans. And if Reggie Bush has his way, there should be lots more steps to come.