 As the New Orleans Saints continue their celebration of their Super Bowl XLIV win from Sunday (February 7), hometown celebrities are expressing their excitement as well.
Entrepreneur and New Orleans native, P. Miller (formerly known as Master P), says the victory goes beyond football accomplishments, explaining that it gives the people of the city hope.
"The Saints winning the Super Bowl was more than a game for the people in New Orleans; it gave hope to a 'Who Dat' Nation, a culture that was dismantled by Hurricane Katrina," Miller explains. "It was like experiencing history all over again. In 2009, we witnessed our first African American President. And in 2010, the New Orleans Saints has won it's first Super Bowl."
P continued, saying that New Orleans has longed for a moment like this for years -- over 40 to be exact -- and the win gives New Orleanians an understanding of what hard work and dedication can result in.
"This is a city that strived a long time to rise above poverty, crime and racism. For over forty years, our people have joined together through this one team representing the colors of black and gold, hoping to experience the sweet taste of victory," Miller says. "The people of New Orleans now have a better understanding the true meaning of hard work, rebuilding, and never giving up.
"Just seeing the smiles on the players and the fans' faces made me proud to be a native of the city of New Orleans, knowing that all of my life I've been the underdog and overcame adversity," he adds. "But watching my team and my city victoriously taking the Super Bowl made me realize what being a champion is truly about and how in life, there's going to be some ups and downs, but if you believe in the man up above and have the right people on your team, you could win at any level."
In addition to uplifting the people of the Saints' hometown, Miller hopes the underdog story of the NFL franchise will help bring hope beyond New Orleans and into nations such as Haiti, who are also trying to rebuild following the devastating quake that rocked their country.
P says people need to come together in their efforts to continue to help Haiti.
"The world has embraced not only the Saints, but the city of New Orleans' culture -- the music, the 'Who Dat' songs, the second line dancing, the food, the fans, the black and gold football jersey, and the mardis gras," Miller said. "The city that was washed away by a hurricane was brought back together by one of the greatest football teams of 2010. The same hope that we could give to other cities and nations that have been devastated by a natural disaster like Haiti. I realize that even as we celebrate this victory, not too far away kids and their families are still dealing with tragedies. And we as people should team up and help."
While P is definitely proud of the New Orleans Saints' victory, he says he won't fully celebrate until the school he and the I Heart Haiti Kids organization are building is complete.
Haiti is the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation, and since a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake hit on January 12, 2010, the country has been in shambles.
For more info, go to IHeartHGaitiKids.org.
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