‘Super’ rooting interest lies with Baltimore kicker

    With Super Bowl XLVII kicking off on Sunday, how would you describe yourself as a football fan? Has that evolved over the years?
    Definitely so. I’ve never been a person who would spend Saturday or Sunday afternoons watching football on TV. The only time I really got excited about football was when I knew the people playing or had some affinity with the team. When I taught high school at St. John Prep, I was a faithful follower of the football team. I remember as a kid going with my dad to Tulane Stadium to a couple of Saints’ games. Then, the early 1980s were the days, unfortunately, when people would misbehave and wear bags over their heads because they were ashamed the Saints weren’t winning.
    You were out of town from 2000 to 2009, but did you keep tabs on the Saints?
    I did. I was really excited toward the end of that time because that’s when the Saints were in the playoffs, and they were playing exciting football. Since I’ve been back in New Orleans, I was able to attend the Super Bowl in Miami two years ago, and I’ve become a more avid Saints fan. Now, when the Saints are playing on the road, I do try to watch the games on TV whenever I get the chance. I’m grateful to be a member of the Who Dat Nation!
    Have you had a chance to brush shoulders with some of the players?
    Yes. I’ve had several opportunities to meet Drew Brees and a number of other players. I’ve gotten to know the coaching staff very well, and I have a great deal of respect for them. Terry Malone, who coaches the tight ends, is a very active Catholic on the northshore, and quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi is a very strong Catholic husband and father. We share not only a great interest in football but also a faith and commitment to the Catholic Church. Gayle and Tom Benson are certainly friends – I knew both of them, individually and independently, before they were married – and when I came back to the archdiocese they welcomed me with open arms and an open heart. We have become even closer friends, and I value and admire the tremendous amount they have done for the city and for the Catholic Church and others. I also admire them for their faith – they truly live out their Catholic faith. They consider it a priority in their lives to go to Mass, to have a relationship with God and to participate actively in the church.
    What does hosting the Super Bowl mean for New Orleans?
    It certainly is a great blessing to our economy, and we look forward to those benefits. But I also think of it as a real privilege. We as New Orleanians can open our city to thousands and thousands of visitors and show them true Southern hospitality and the great spirit of the City of New Orleans.
    Who are you rooting for – Baltimore or San Francisco?
    I didn’t realize it until last week that the rookie placekicker for Baltimore is Justin Tucker, who is someone I confirmed when he was a parishioner at St. John Neumann Church in Austin. I know his parents, and it will be great to see them. So that’s why I’ll be rooting for Baltimore. Also, a number of my friends with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are from the Baltimore area, so they certainly have a loyalty toward the Ravens. I’m going to pick the Ravens to win. It’s too bad they’re not in the Who Dat Nation, but while they’re in Who Dat territory, I hope they win.
    I would imagine you’ll see a lot of team jerseys at St. Louis Cathedral when you celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass on Super Bowl Sunday.
    That’s going to be a great chance for me to welcome all of our guests and sports fans to the city. I also believe deeply in the genuine goodness of the people of New Orleans. Though there has been talk about some angry words or actions against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, in my heart, I don’t believe the people of New Orleans would do something like that. If anyone is tempted to carry that out, I think we need to remember that while we have every right to disagree with the commissioner or to feel that he went overboard in some of his punitive measures against the Saints, we do not have the right to disrespect him as human being. For those who harbor ill feelings toward him, we need to remember that God said: “‘Vengeance is mine,’ says the Lord.” It would be a terrible mark against the city if we acted with anything other than respect and Southern hospitality toward him. We are not a people of revenge, and we are not a people of disrespect. When I saw the flyer with the commissioner’s picture and the caption, “Do Not Serve This Man,” I was personally embarrassed. I don’t think that reflects the majority of people in our city.
    Was it tough seeing the Saints not reach the Super Bowl this year?
    As the coaches so often say, “It is what it is.” But we have next year to look forward to. We’re glad that Sean Payton is back and that the Drew Brees’ contract has been signed. We’re glad that we’ll be starting next year with a strong team.
    While sports is fun, how would you suggest people keep things in perspective?
    Sports is fun and it’s entertainment. It’s great part of our society because of the values associated with competition. There are so many positive aspects of sports, but when it’s all said and done, we also have to realize that winning a game is not going to get us to heaven. So, see it as entertainment, but it’s important that it not become a god.
    Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected]