Book Review: ‘Patron Saints: How the Saints Gave New Orleans a Reason to Believe’

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After starting this 2007 season 0-4, the New Orleans Saints have impressively fought their way back to .500 at the midway point. For a while there, Saints fans were left wondering if the magic their team created in 2006 would ever return. Well, it certainly has. Led by QB Drew Brees’ 445-yards passing against a tough Jacksonville defense last week, the Saints’ offense has to be considered as one of the most-feared in the NFL once again. But if you want to relive the incredible and inspirational story of that team’s spectacular run to the NFC Championship last year, in the words of the people who made it happen, pick up a copy of Alan Donnes’ “Patron Saints: How the Saints Gave New Orleans a Reason to Believe.”

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, devastating not only buildings and homes, but the hope, spirit, and faith of its people. The Saints were cast out on the road, not knowing when they would return home, and faltered to a losing 3-13 season amidst the chaos. People wondered whether the city could even sustain an NFL team anymore.

Then, a funny thing happened on the way to economic devastation. The city of New Orleans, its population cut in half and its local industry a mess, rallied to buy up the first season-ticket sellout in franchise history. Led by head coach Sean Payton and the aforementioned Drew Brees, the Saints produced a worst-to-first season that gave their fans a reason to believe, both in the team and in themselves. Together they inspired each other to do the impossible: put the Saints in the NFC Championship game and put New Orleans on the road to recovery.

Though the Saints lost that NFC Championship game to Chicago, they returned home as true champions. In this book, former Saints reporter Alan Donnes has compiled over 100 interviews with players, coaches, politicians, and colorful locals who made it happen. Together, these powerful voices recount the history of the team and the city, how the horror of Katrina brought them together, and how one winning season brought hope to a place that hope forgot.

Click here to order this book from Amazon.com.