Bleeding Black and Gold Kristin Fouquet
On Fat Tuesday 2010, Mardi Gras colors Purple, Green, and Gold intermingled with the Black and Gold of the New Orleans Saints. In nearly every block of the French Quarter, handmade Lombardi trophies sparkled in the bright sun as Who Dats returned to the streets they flooded on Super Bowl Sunday and Lombardi Gras. Those who said the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV was just about football were mistaken. It was the fruition of a seemingly impossible dream.
The victory rewarded devoted fans who kept the faith through years of disappointment. The joy of the event had people all over New Orleans speaking of dead relatives, friends, and sportscasters with sentiments like “I wish he could’ve been here for that” or “She would have loved this.” It was also about the Who Dat Nation standing up to the NFL by saying, “You don’t own us.” The Saints are our city's ambassadors, reminding the world that we are a vital culture.
Naturally, not everyone dressed as Saints or in black and gold costumes on Fat Tuesday, but those who did shared a convivial revelry which surpassed even the usual carnival cheer. A sense of well-being and optimism for the future was perceived in almost every greeting of "Happy Mardi Gras" or "Who Dat?". The Black and Gold Mardi Gras of 2010 will be another memorable milestone in the history of New Orleans.
above photograph by James Thiebaud (top) Tom Fouquet, Errol Fouquet, Ian Fright, Heather Fright (bottom) Katy Fouquet, Zoe Fouquet, Kristin Fouquet, Jean Fouquet, Ian Fright II, Lauryl Fright
all other photographs copyright Kristin Fouquet
Kristin Fouquet is a native New Orleanian and has been a Saints fan since childhood. It was a great pleasure for her to watch the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV. She wishes her father, Victor S. Mott, had been alive to witness it. She'd like to give special thanks to The Fouquets and The Frights for indulging her costume schemes and adding to the fun and memories of the holiday. More of Kristin's work may be found at her virtual abode, Le Salon, at the web address http://kristin.fouquet.cc