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I think leadership includes inspiring yourself and others to perform at a higher level.  Last night in New Orleans, I saw that as the New Orleans Saints dominated the favored Atlanta Falcons in a memorable game.

Since Hurricane Katrina hit a year ago, the city of New Orleans and its citizens have not had much to cheer about. The Superdome had stood as a painful reminder of the hopelessness and helplessness that so many felt in the days following the destruction of Katrina.

Last night in a Monday Night Football game, the SuperDome took on new meaning. It became a symbol of reconstruction, of hope and a brighter future. The atmosphere felt more like a Super Bowl than the third week of the regular season. U2 and Green Day played a pre-game concert, showcasing a cover of the The Skids song, “The Saints are Coming.” Proceeds from the single will go to Music Rising.

After the game, the Saints stood 3-0 and equaled the games they won all of last season. Remarkable things happened in this game as if the New Orleans fans in the SuperDome and at home watching somehow willed the outcome. For example, when was the last time you saw a blocked punt and a blocked field goal by the same team in an NFL game? Go back to 2003 and hundreds of games. Yet it happened last night.

The blocked punt rolled toward the end zone where it was fallen upon for a touchdown. The Saints, scoring in the most unlikely ways (blocked punt, double reverse), were empowered to dominate in all facets of the game until the final gun. Fans cheered madly for another 30 minutes after the game ended. It was a great game played by inspired Saints. But it was more than just an NFL game. It gave cheering fans a momentary return to normalcy. It provided hope for a turnaround, a comeback, an empowered effort to go beyond one’s own limits.

From the Washington Post

Do you think it matters to the people of New Orleans? Michael Vick, the Falcons multi-talented QB said afterward, "I never in my life heard a crowd roar so loud.'' They've already showed their commitment to the team, buying out the entire Saints season at the SuperDome for the first time in the team’s history.

This one game does not erase the painful memories or alleviate all the work ahead, but it was special and for now resuscitates much of the New Orleans energy and vibe that was drown under flood waters of a year ago.

I can still remember watching Kirk Gibson hobble to the plate on October 15, 1988. The Dodgers were down to their last. Gibson, NL MVP that season, was not expected to play during this World Series due to hamstring and knee injuries. Knowing he could hardly run to first base should he get a hit, Vin Scully announced, “So, the Dodgers trying to catch lightning right now!”

The Oakland A’s were leading 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth. The A’s ace closer and Hall of Famer, Dennis Eckersley was on the mound and there were two outs. Gibson took the count to 3-2 before reaching out and literally swatting the next pitch to the right field stands to win game 1. While it was his only at bat that series, that one swing inspired the Dodgers to beat the highly favored and perhaps superior A’s in five games.

The magic returned to Chavez Ravine and Dodger Stadium last night as the Dodgers refused to be vanquished by their neighbors to the south, the San Diego Padres. Down by multiple runs all night, the boys in blue refused to quit and accept a sure defeat. In the bottom of the ninth, the score stood 9-5. At stake was the lead in the NL West with less than two weeks left in the season.

A few fans started for the parking lot. After all, the Dodgers needed runs (home runs) to make up this large deficit and they stood last in the National League in home runs and could not boast of a single 20-home run hitter. Worse yet, they were facing reliever Jon Adkins, who had yielded just one home run in 51 innings.

Eight pitches later, the score stood at 9-9 as Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson all went yard off two San Diego relievers. 

Prior to last night, only three teams had ever blasted four consecutive homers in an inning. The last time - 1964, I was still in diapers – cloth diapers that is, the A’s were still in Kansas City and the Beatles had their first number one US hit (I Want to Hold your Hand).

So to the tenth inning where the Padres reapply the pressure and go up in the top half by a run.