The Super Bowl is in New Orleans this Sunday

[Capt. Obvious]

The Superdome hosting the big event brings back a lot of memories for me.

I think of this:



Then this:



Then this:



And in the first Super Bowl since it happened, I hope no one forgets this:



Such a horrific tragedy that ripped off the scab of social inequality. I'm glad New Orleans gets to host the big game again but no one should forget what the area went through just 7.5 years ago.

[niyad]

1. you are correct--I will NEVER forget that.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. I'm frankly a little surprised that the Saints returned to New Orleans and the Superdome.

After Katrina, I thought that the negative associations with the place would make it too difficult to ever watch a game there again.

But all that being said, I'm a Ravens fan, so Laissez les bons temps rouler!

[MountainLaurel]

5. The Saints owner got a lot of money to return

For instance, the Saints are getting $5 million from a state that just cut services to AIDS patients, children, and the elderly.

[Capt. Obvious]

6. I'm glad they did

It was a good lift - especially when they won the Super Bowl a few years later.

[sadbear]

3. Your moniker is apt.

[HappyMe]

4. This will pour some needed tourist dollars

into New Orleans.

I would imagine that recovery is very slow.

[Capt. Obvious]

7. Yes and yes

[seabeyond]

8. my son was flown to NO last weekend to visit the university. they are still in the process of

rebuilding their university and it is clear the efforts they are going to. i am thrilled to see the accomplishments, but it is hard for them to get people into the city, still.

they are offering such a kick ass scholarship, and knowing hard hard they are working toward sucess is a BIG plus on their side.

he was there and in the stadium while beyonce was practicing.

[Jamaal510]

9. I wonder who or what determines which cities the Super Bowls are in.

It feels like it's always the same few cities that get to host it. And New Orleans had just hosted another SB not too long ago.

[Capt. Obvious]

10. Cities bid for the right to host

New Orleans last hosted for the 2001 Super Bowl (2/3/2002).

The NFL will noramlly reward teams who build new stadiums with one gimme - why Indianapolis, Detroit, and Jacksonville got to host.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

11. Dallas too (but really Arlington, TX) eom

[Capt. Obvious]

12. True that - Houston as well

But at least those sites would have a chance at a regular bid.

[Zax2me]

13. The NFL takes bids but does submit what they favor -

Newer stadiums, rewarding cities and owners for investing in new facilities.
Warm climates or domes.

Interesting, because the warm climate/dome template - which was in place to ensure as much as possible no cold weather/rain - is being lifted. They are making a stated change to that long-standing tradition and welcoming more 'warmly' (no pun) bids from cities where in-climate weather is a possibility.
Why?
not sure - money probably, like always, but one reason they said is to get back to roots of football where cold or outdoor weather is welcomed instead of shunned.

[Capt. Obvious]

15. That would be the New York City (er, New Jersey) exception

I'm pretty sure it's only for them. Foxboro is never hosting.

[JaneyVee]

14. There is an incredibly thin line between civilized society and chaos.