Friday, September 22, 2006

Pro Football Returns to New Orleans

All eyes will be on the city of New Orleans this Monday night.

A little over a year ago, hurricane winds and flood waters pounded New Orleans and the surrounding gulf coast. While much of the region is still recovering and many of its residents are still displaced, locals have one thing they can look forward to in the next few days -- the return of pro football to New Orleans.

The New Orleans Saints finished their 2006 season away from the city, splitting time between Baton Rouge and Texas. The New Orleans Superdome housed thousands of residents during the height of the storm, suffering some minor damage in the process. But now, the roof is fixed, the debris is cleared away, and the Dome is ready for a prime-time showcase on Monday Night Football when the Saints host the Atlanta Falcons.

The team is celebrating in a big way, with pre-game performances by the Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day and U2. Local musicians Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint witll perform the national anthem.

When tragedy strikes, getting back to any kind of routine seems impossible. After more than a year, the city of New Orleans is ready to take another step toward normalcy.

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