Fans pack rebuilt stadium, scene of Hurricane Katrina devastation

Published on Wednesday 27 September 2006 00:59

THE Louisiana Superdome, a scene of misery, frustration and death in the days after Hurricane Katrina, came back to life this week as the New Orleans Saints took the field for what turned out to be much more than a game of American football.

"You think of the people who died here, but I truly feel this represents the spirit of New Orleans people," said Saints fan Sue Nelson. The stadium had undergone a multi-million-dollar facelift since crowds took refuge there in the days after the August 2005 tumult, which forced thousands of residents to flee and killed 1,400 people. It had a new roof, new artificial turf and animated scoreboards.

The pre-game ceremony featured rock bands U2 and Green Day and by game time, the 68,000 people who packed the stadium were in high spirits.

The Saints put their fans in even higher spirits by beating the Atlanta Falcons 23-3.