Hurricane Katrina was the infamous storm that still makes hearts sink today. On August 25^th, 2005, almost exactly ten years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and nearly whipped out the entire city. Lives were lost, entire neighborhoods destroyed, and spirits seemed to hit rock bottom. Residents were at a standstill. Everything they owned had been taken away by the brutal storm, and they did not know what to do next.

Support throughout the nation soon came rushing into the city, providing food and shelter to those affected. However, water and a roof can only go so far. Support from those outside of the city could do little for their morale of the residents of New Orleans. What does one do, when what used to be their city looks like a garbage dump full of bits and pieces of their entire lives?

The Louisiana Superdome, home to the New Orleans Saints, was also in disarray. Not only was the superdome too damaged to play in, it also was used to house victims of the brutal storm. Due to this, all of the saint’s “home” games for the 2005 season were played elsewhere. The 2005 season for the New Orleans saints was a struggle, and to say their minds were elsewhere would be an understatement. How were the saints supposed to pick up and regroup elsewhere, when their friends, families, and neighbors’ back home were undergoing such tragedy?

However, the 2006 season would be a different story. On September 25^th 2006, the New Orleans Saints opened their season with a game against the Atlanta Falcons, almost exactly a year after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city. It was their first game back in the Louisiana Superdome and they held the falcons on the first series. What happened next would be what people still remember today. Steve Gleason, a Saint’s defensive back, blocked the falcons punt on their fourth down, allowing the Saints to recover the ball and run it in for a touchdown. It was in that moment that New Orleanians, and the entire nation, saw hope. Their fear of what was to happen next was released, and they were able to call the Superdome home again.

Just like the city, the saints would then continue to improve each year, and in 2009 won it all, by securing a Super bowl ring. The New Orleans saints are what brought the city back together, not physically, but rather psychologically. The team was able to boost the morale of the city, and gave them something to look forward to on Sundays. The Saints showed New Orleans that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Hurricane Katrina changed the city of New Orleans on that tragic day in August 2005, and the city will never be what it was before. However, the devastation and tragedy of that day helped unite the people of New Orleans to each other, to their city, and to their team.