Saints Victory Parade

SI Staff | Feb 11, 2010

Saints Victory Parade /

Saints Victory Parade

New Orleans honored the Saints' first Super Bowl win with a Mardi Gras-flavored parade.

The parade started outside the Superdome, where black, gold and white confetti floated over the crowd.

The Saints' 31-17 win over the Colts capped just the ninth winning season in the franchise's 43-year history.

The players were accompanied by a dozen marching bands as they rode through the downtown streets on floats lent by Carnival krewes.

MVP Drew Brees (top) sat on a throne as players threw beads toward the crowds that lined the city streets.

The floats stopped by a reviewing stand so that elected officials could toast Brees and Co.

When Brees' float stopped in front of the reviewing stand, the QB yelled to the crowd "How's the 'Who Dat' nation feel tonight? This toast goes out to you. We love you and we won that championship for you."

The Saints championship run has been credited for uniting a city that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and has labored to rebuild in its aftermath.

Robert Meachem (left) and Courtney Roby helped bring Mardi Gras to the Big Easy a week before Fat Tuesday.

Coach Sean Payton blew kisses to the crowd as he held the Lombardi Trophy over his head.

Published Feb 11, 2010

SI STAFF