The Saints The Superdome And The Scandal

"Filled with insider stories about the sports scene of New Orleans and previously untold secret political maneuvers made to bring the Saints to New Orleans." -New Orleans Times-Picayune "Dave Dixon offers a behind-the-scenes look at the New Orleans NFL." -(LA) The Daily Advertiser Before the Saints were synonymous with New Orleans, Dave Dixon was gathering support to create a team and build a Superdome to accommodate them. The man affectionately known as the "Father of the Saints" gives an insider's perspective on the historical events that shaped the New Orleans sports scene. Little-known facts reveal the negotiations, the payoffs, and the votes that eventually led to the announcement of the sixteenth franchise of the National Football League on November 1, 1966. Nine years after the NFL announcement, the Louisiana Superdome opened on August 3, 1975, as a fifty-two-acre, 269,000-square-foot facility that forever changed the skyline of New Orleans. The opening of this facility not only served as the home of the Saints, but later became home to evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. As Dixon reflects on the efforts of the key individuals who worked collectively to make this happen, he shares insight on a national scandal that he credits with altering our political landscape following the 1968 presidential elections and eventually leading to the fall of John McKeithen, a dear friend and supporter of the Saints. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dave Dixon, named one of the "Ten Most Important New Orleanians of the 20th Century" by New Orleans Magazine was widely known for his time as the executive director of the Louisiana Superdome. He was the founder of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1983 and cofounder of World Championship Tennis. He served as a member of Loyola University's Board of Trustees and spoke to both Harvard University and Stanford University graduate schools of business. Dixon passed away in August of 2010.

Telling the story of Saints football in New Orleans is a way to understand larger social, political and economic conditions during pivotal moments of the city's history. This book is the first to explore the team's role in rebuilding the city following Hurricane Katrina. The author documents New Orleans' initial efforts to attract professional football, the Katrina disaster and some successes and failures during 10 years of post-disaster recovery. The narrative of community recovery and cohesion crafted by Saints fans transcends racial divides and illustrates the relationship between professional sports and the American city. The voices of female fans--largely overlooked in the study of sports--compel a more inclusive definition of football fandom.

Famed defensive end Bubba Smith menacing opposing quarterbacks while wearing a New Orleans Saints uniform. Bruising running back Larry Csonka breaking tackles on his way to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Future Hall-of-Fame defensive back Ken Houston returning an interception for a touchdown as the New Orleans defense sparks a victory for the Saints. All could have been possible had the New Orleans Saints front office had the scouting competence and foresight to draft the likes of Smith, Csonka and Houston. Instead, trades and draft selections for the likes of soon-forgotten players such as Gary Cuozzo, Les Kelley and Kevin Hardy helped to set a tone for futility that haunted the NFL franchise for many years. Unlike previous books about the New Orleans Saints that have either been an ode to the team or anecdotes about some of the team's more colorful characters, When the Saints Came Marching In: What the New Orleans NFL franchise did wrong (and sometimes right) in its expansion years is a comprehensive look at the crucial first five seasons of the New Orleans NFL franchise and how early decisions impacted the team. The book also takes a look at what the Saints might have done differently from 1967-1971 that could have taken the team in an alternate direction.

This insider’s account of the 2013 Super Bowl blackout cuts across the city’s cultural landscape to reveal what change has meant for New Orleanians. Hosting the Super Bowl was set to be a major event for New Orleans. Not only was it a commercial boon for the city, but it would also be the first game played in the Superdome since it had been used as a shelter during Hurricane Katrina. As the big game approached, the entire city was determined to present its best face to the world. Politicians, business leaders and tourism officials declared the rise of the "new New Orleans.” But as game day neared, the preparations revealed the strains of the post-Katrina recovery and the contrasts of the heralded renaissance. The watershed moment culminated in darkness when the lights went out in the Superdome. In this revealing portrait of the breathless months before the game, author Brian W. Boyles unearths the conflicts, ambitions and secret histories that defined the city as it prepared for Super Bowl XLVII.

America loves sports. This book examines and details the proof of this fascination seen throughout American society—in our literature, film, and music; our clothing and food; and the iconography of the nation. This momentous four-volume work examines and details the cultural aspects of sport and how sport pervasively reflects—and affects—myriad aspects of American society from the early 1900s to the present day. Written in a straightforward, readable manner, the entries cover both historical and contemporary aspects of sport and American culture. Unlike purely historical encyclopedias on sports, the contributions within these volumes cover related subject matter such as poetry, novels, music, films, plays, television shows, art and artists, mythologies, artifacts, and people. While this encyclopedia set is ideal for general readers who need information on the diverse aspects of sport in American culture for research purposes or are merely reading for enjoyment, the detailed nature of the entries will also prove useful as an initial source for scholars of sport and American culture. Each entry provides a number of both print and online resources for further investigation of the topic.

For years, the Chicago Tribune's "10 Things You Might Not Know" column has been informing and entertaining readers on a diverse range of fascinating subjects. 10 Things You Might Not Know About Nearly Everything is a collection of the best of these columns, presented in a fun and easy-to-read format. This book gives readers well-researched, obscure facts on universal topics—including arts and culture, food and leisure, history, politics, science and technology, sports, holidays and religion, lifestyle, language, and more. 10 Things You Might Not Know About Nearly Everything contains a plethora of surprising trivia and pertinent tidbits on so many different areas that will appeal to everyone from history buffs to sports fans to foodies, with an especially riveting look into Chicago-area history and facts. For example, in Zion, Illinois it was once not only illegal to gamble, curse, and sell alcohol and tobacco, but also to whistle on Sundays, put on plays, eat pork or oysters, spit, or wear tan-colored shoes. Some facts will make readers laugh and some will make jaws drop. This collection is a kaleidoscope of the absurd, the outrageous, and the sometimes-gruesome, making a highly entertaining mix of people, places, and things. 10 Things You Might Not Know About Nearly Everything will leave readers brighter, wittier, and curious to learn more about myriad worlds they never encountered before and will never forget.

During the turbulent 1960s, the city of New Orleans experienced unprecedented economic growth, racial tensions and desegregation, political realignment, and natural disaster. Presiding over this period of sweeping change was Mayor Victor H. Schiro (1904-1992), an unassuming, moderate Democrat who sought the best for his city and adhered strictly to the rule of law in a region where laissez faire was standard practice and hardened defiance was a social norm. Schiro sought fairness for all and navigated a gauntlet of conflicting pressures. African Americans sought their civil rights, and whites resisted the new racial environment. Despite vigorous opposition and an unfriendly press, Schiro won election twice. Under his direction, the city experienced numerous municipal reforms, the inclusion of African Americans in executive positions, and the broad extension of city services. The mayor, a businessman, recruited new corporations for his city, heralded the development of New Orleans East, and brought major professional sports to the Crescent City. He also initiated the plans for the construction of the Superdome. At the height of this activity, Hurricane Betsy devastated New Orleans. In response, Schiro coordinated with the federal government to initiate rescue and recovery at a rapid pace. In the aftermath, he lobbied Congress for relief funds that set the precedent for National Federal flood insurance.