NEW ORLEANS — This city doesn’t expect anyone to understand. And frankly, it doesn’t care. Just like there is no place on earth like New Orleans, no place on earth heals, perseveres, responds and finds the joy in heartache and sadness like New Orleans. So when it comes to the aftermath of The Game That Must Not Be Mentioned and Sunday’s outright fraudulent Super Bowl LIE, well, the city did its thing: It refused to watch the “big” game. Instead, it came together. It rejoiced. It celebrated a glorious New Orleans Saints season that was stolen from it. And it may have been over-served. Saints fans are lining the streets of New Orleans to protest the Super Bowl. (via @MichaelDeMocker) pic.twitter.com/CB2IHNA2uQ — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 3, 2019 This is its story. The most important meal of the day It’s always Brunch SZN in New Orleans. Breakfast comes too early in the land where bars never close, and you have to build a caloric base somehow. Hey, Bloody Marys are a food group, right? The Ruby Slipper Cafe on Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District (yes, it’s a chain … whatever) came correct with a special menu to get the day started right. We’re starting to sense a theme … (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) And would’t you know it, it didn’t stop there. As the country is now noticing, this city has no chill. When it gets dug in, it’s going the distance. Here was our brunch companion, courtesy of the restaurant: Don’t try to pin me down, bro. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) And don’t hate, because he tipped 30 percent. Oh, man, they really do mean a party The next stop was Tracey’s, an Irish Channel mainstay that should be well known to “Simpsons” fans. The bar had a DJ, fresh-shucked oysters and crawfish on the sidewalk, and was packed with black-and-gold-clad fans. There was a also a surprise special guest: Story continues Kyle Kelly was a popular man Sunday. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) Kyle Kelly, 25, was at The Game That Must Not Be Mentioned. He talked about screaming so much and so loud that he had a headache by the second quarter. But that pain, much like the end of the Saints’ season, has faded. “It was terrible. It was awful,” Kelly said. “But this is how New Orleans does it. I was born and raised here, and I never will leave.” And why would he? He was hanging out here on a Sunday: The crowd for crawfish and raw oysters at Tracey’s. Because everyone needs protein. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) We have a block party! Further down Magazine Street in Uptown, they took the party to the streets, with New Orleans’ finest closing down the block and keeping everyone safe. Don’t believe me? Officers were handing out these go cups to party goers who simply couldn’t be contained: New Orleans police give the best presents. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) Yes, it was more DJ party music, this time with dance circles, pop-up markets, beer, more beer and food. But the premier attraction was a coffin in which Saints fans made their final peace and buried the harsh, cruel memories of The Game That Must Not Be Mentioned. And they hurled insults at the Atlanta Falcons along the way. That always makes things better. It’s time to put this season down. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) Making fun of the Falcons makes all Saints fans feel better. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) Second lines are for the people While the monster parade that started in Jackson Square in the French Quarter had a massive, impressive and raucous turnout, ultimately New Orleans is a city of community and tight relationships. To get the real feel you have to venture into the neighborhoods, and near Audubon Park we found The Kingpin, a neighborhood bar that was not playing around. You know what they say: We are all sinners, but on Sunday we are Saints. Dance like no one is watching. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) With the Big Fun Brass Band leading the way, the people were ready to get a move on and remind everyone that it’s all about blowing whistles and not games. The Kingpin was showing Super Bowl XLIV from 2010 and was offering free shots if the Saints win. So please, no spoilers. The Boycott Bowl The concert/art festival/food/booze event near the French Quarter was put together quickly and nearly sold out quicker. Featuring New Orleans royalty such as Choppa, Big Freedia and Kermit Ruffins, the event sold out on Friday and was absolutely crowded. The #BoycottBowl near the French Quarter was packed. Yes, Choppa is there on stage somewhere. pic.twitter.com/73im1zMaAW — Joe Garza (@JGuitarza) February 4, 2019 After venturing to spots throughout the city, hunger hit us like Nickell Robey-Coleman hits defenseless receivers. Luckily, the Boycott Bowl did not disappoint. No, the shrimp were not too salty. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) With our appetite satisfied, it was time for a refreshing beverage. And just to show you how New Orleans does nothing halfway, well, here ya go. Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville, Louisiana, stepped up and had a little special something for the party people — and for a good cause! Refreshments are a critical part of any good boycott. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) The last stop To end the day that pretty much waged war against the most egregious theft in NFL history, there was only one option: The Avenue Pub, the greatest beer and whiskey bar in America (the world?). (Yes, I know you may have a great bar. This one is better.) With The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion playing on the sound system (we’re not kidding — hello ’90’s) and the Saints’ Super Bowl victory playing on the TV, the bartender says the owner had one simple instruction: “Under no circumstances are you to put on the game [Super Bowl LIE].” Mission accomplished. But Saints fans, no matter how disappointed, always look for a better tomorrow. You don’t overcome what this city has without hope and a little something else. Because this city doesn’t give up and it doesn’t quit. It believes and it always will. God bless, NOLA. New Orleans can take whatever you give it, especially at The Avenue Pub. (Joe Garza/Yahoo Sports) This is just a glimpse of what it means to be in New Orleans. The city parties hard and loves even harder. And when it comes to Saints fans, yes, they have no chill. And BTW, the Falcons still suck. More from Yahoo Sports: • Watch Super Bowl LIII pregame and then Patriots-Rams on Yahoo Sports app • Gonzalez, Reed, Bailey headline 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class • Report: Lakers players confronted Walton after loss to Warriors • Get ready for your draft with our Fantasy Baseball top 300 rankings<doc-sep>New Orleans Saints fans have taken to the streets in protest of the Saints missing out on the Super Bowl due to a botched pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. It’s a joyful sort of a protest, though, because it’s New Orleans. They’re currently marching through the streets in a second line parade to party their way out of their misery for missing the Super Bowl. Video: Thousands of Saints fans second-line through downtown in a massive display of festive anger. pic.twitter.com/CK5Nedxnr7 — Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) February 3, 2019 Is it a little petulant and foolish? Yes. Should the New Orleans fans just get over it and let the rest of the world enjoy the Super Bowl? Maybe. But you give New Orleanians an excuse to throw a party, no matter what the reason, they’re going to seize on it. Let ’em throw a protest parade. They’ll get back to their couches soon enough, and watch the game. Or they’ll keep the party going and not watch. Whatever. Let New Orleans do whatever it wants, they got jobbed pretty good.<doc-sep>
Two weeks ago, the New Orleans Saints had their Super Bowl 53 hopes dashed thanks to, in no small part, a horrible botched call from the officials. On Sunday, with the big game looming, fans in Louisiana banded together to let the world know two weeks wasn’t enough time to get over the uncalled pass interference penalty that allowed the Rams to escape the state with the conference championship in tow. Thousands of Louisianans decked in black and gold took to the streets to express their displeasure with a league that rewarded the Rams’ “if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying” approach with a spot in Super Bowl 53. Parades and second line jazz funerals rang through the streets of New Orleans in a display intended to give disgruntled football fans “something better to do” than watch the team that broke their hearts play for an NFL title. The Storyville Jazz Band is playing for Saints fans along the river. Soon they’ll lead a jazz funeral and second-line! pic.twitter.com/evdgZ5J7Dz — NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) February 3, 2019 Festivities began in the morning and are scheduled to last into the night, starting when the Nola No Call Second Line & Jazz Funeral gave the city one more chance to mourn the Saints’ since-departed 2018 season, a budding giant cut down before its time. Fans had the chance to make (and throw) their own penalty flags and write notes to Roger Goodell, which were almost certainly polite and will definitely be read by the commissioner himself. There was also a spot where fans had the chance to drop a few unfortunate souls dressed as referees into some icy water via dunk tank. Photos from Magazine Street Who Dat protest party: Referees bitten & dunked, Goodell dissed by toddler pic.twitter.com/TZrdnrykKZ — Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) February 3, 2019 The event earned an impressive turnout, though it’s not like there was much on TV Sunday to keep fans inside. Video: Thousands of Saints fans second-line through downtown in a massive display of festive anger. pic.twitter.com/CK5Nedxnr7 — Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) February 3, 2019 The second lines didn’t stop coming, as bands trumpeted the Saints’ departure from this earthly realm and into the pages of Pro Football Reference’s archives as though they were celebrating a family member. Jazz funeral with the Sophie B. Wright High School brass band walks down Magazine street carrying a casket with the hopes and dreams of the Who Dat Nation. #WhoDat @theadvocateno pic.twitter.com/pPhfad507i — Sophia Germer (@SophiaGermer) February 3, 2019 Those parades led fans to the sold-out Boycott Bowl concert, which provided fans with 10 hours of live music to fight back any temptation to tune into to Sunday’s game. Of course, Choppa was a featured act. The Super Bowl 53 ratings in Louisiana aren’t going to be great, if Sunday’s festivities are any indication.