Ahead of Monday’s matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, players and coaches are looking back on a storm that reshaped a city, the current game, and a play from two decades ago that still reverberates in the NFL.
The discussion centers on the 2005 storm that devastated New Orleans and the way the city rallied around its football team. The Saints’ community, still healing, sees the sport as a unifying force that helped lift spirits after the disaster.
At the heart of the conversation is a 2004 play involving former Saints safety Steve Gleason. A punt block by Gleason, which occurred 20 years ago, is remembered as a moment that brought New Orleans together and intensified the long‑standing rivalry with the Falcons.
Coaches from both teams note how that play has become a touchstone for fans, a reminder of the Saints’ resilience and a catalyst for the fierce competition that defines the Falcons‑Saints series.
As the teams prepare to face off, the reflections on the storm, the legacy of that pivotal play, and the ongoing rivalry underscore the emotional weight of the game for players, coaches, and supporters alike.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>
