Kristain@wwl.com - Do I think that it will fire up the Saints and their fans just knowing that Sean Payton, Joe Vitt, and Mickey Loomis will in the Superdome this Sunday? Without question! This team has always fed off the energy of Payton. Even though Payton won't be allowed any contact with the team, and may be completely out of sight...just knowing he's in there along with Looms and Vitt will be something players and fans alike will be looking forward to.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is known as an unbending disciplinarian at times, but I can see why he would waver on the punishment on such a potentially historical night. This will be a chance for these three men so instrumental in Drew's development to be on hand to witness history being made.
Someone here at WWL asked me if I thought the fact that the Super Bowl is in New Orleans this year had anything to do with Goodell allowing for the three suspended men to attend the game. Well, maybe. But I think the number one thing is that it's just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of their players break an NFL record that has stood for more than a half-century. Payton, Loomis, and Vitt were such a part of the growth of Brees as a quarterback, and Brees lobbied to allow them to attend the game. So, that's the basic, simple reason that I think Goodell is allowing them to attend the game.
Photo courtesy Mercedes-Benz Superdome
