Fan is grateful for the Saints’ Jimmy Graham: A letter to the editor
The close of every football season is emotionally taxing. The what ifs and coulda beens cause many a sleepless night for everyone involved, the coaches, the players, the owners, the fans.
At the close of the 2009 season, after we won the Super Bowl, we were filled with a giddiness that is reserved but for one city each February. Coach Payton, Drew Brees and everyone else on the team said, in essence, that they were buoyed by the fans and won for the city of New Orleans. We did all feel much happier after that magical season. The fog of depression from the Katrina rebuilding seemed to lift a little. The Saints had, amazingly, put a spring back in our step for which we still are all very grateful.
As the hours fade away from the disastrous ending of the San Francisco game Jan. 14, surprisingly, I am finding I have a similar lift as I did from the 2009 season. This year my delight is a new son, the wonderful Jimmy “Golden” Graham.
What an amazing athlete he is, and, of course, his back-story has him sealed in our hearts for a lifetime. Was there a dry eye in the city during the Dec. 26 post-game presser when Jimmy said he will never play for another QB, that when Drew retires, he will retire?
Each game this year, fans hoped for the Brees-to-Graham TD magic and the celebratory dunk over the goal post. The best dunk of all was on Saturday with only two minutes left to play. Was it possible Drew and Jimmy had connected and won the playoff game? Alas, it wasn’t in the cards for the Saints this year.
The 2011 season, for me, will go down as the time Jimmy “Golden” Graham entered our Who Dat hearts. For sure, he does not know the depth of love he is in for! But Who Dats know, it is a hand-in-glove, perfect fit.
Carol Shoemaker
Chalmette
Source: nola.com
