Hurricane Katrina: Saints coach Dennis Allen calls ‘Domecoming’ one of the most emotional games of his career
Ed Daniels
NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 25: New Orleans Saints fans hold up signs during the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight's game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) — On the anniversary of hurricanes Ida and Katrina, Saints head coach Dennis Allen was asked on Monday about “Domecoming” – Sept. 25, 2006 – when the dome reopened and the Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons.
“I came here six months after Katrina, and you could still the devastation in the city,” Allen told media during an afternoon presser. “I was here for the opening of the Superdome. I get chills just thinking about it right now. It was probably one of the most emotional games I have been a part of. NFC championship, Super Bowl. That was a special game in a special situation. That to me shows what this team means to this city, and I don’t think you get that anywhere else.”
GALLERY
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: Owner of the New Orleans Saints, Tom Benson, his wife Gayle and his granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc, Saints Chief Operating Officer celebrate as they leave the field after the Saints 23-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Monday Night Football game on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: Runningback Reggie Bush #25 waves to the fans he leaves the field after the Saints 23-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Monday Night Football game on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: An overall view of the first kick-off to start the Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: A fan holds up a sign during the Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. The Saints won the game 23-3. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints huddles up his team during the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 26: A statue titled “Rebirth,” which depicts former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason blocking a punt against the Atlanta Falcons during the first football game after the Superdome re-opened after Hurricane Katrina, is seen before a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 26, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: New Orleans Saints fans hold up signs during the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: Fans gather outside the newly refurbished Superdome prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 25: Confetti flies outside the newly refurbished Superdome after the official re-opening ceremony at Gate C prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on September 25, 2006 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tonight’s game marks the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck last August, that the Superdome, which served as a temporary shelter to thousands of stranded victims in the wake of Katrina, has played host to an NFL game. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Watch the full press conference interview with Coach Allen in the WGNO Sports media player below:
The Saints open the 2022 regular season at Atlanta on Sept. 11.
