A grand reopening

NEW ORLEANS – When New Orleans Saints special teams ace Steve Gleason blocked the first punt of the Atlanta Falcons to give the Saints their first touchdown at the gala reopening of the Superdome on Monday night, the wildly cheering crowd knew this was more than just a game.

The block by the former Gonzaga Prep and Washington State standout only a minute and a half into the contest seemed providential, just as the bright, sunny day that replaced Sunday’s drenching rain and enabled Saints fans to spend all afternoon walking the streets to welcome back their team more than a year after Hurricane Katrina chased the Saints away along with many homeless citizens.

Riding the momentum of the block, the Saints rolled to a 23-3 win to stay unbeaten and surprisingly on top of the NFC South Division by themselves to the delight of 70,003 fans. Their three victories matches their number of wins last year in a dismal 3-13 season played in San Antonio and Baton Rouge.

Quarterback Drew Brees hit 20 of 28 passes for 191 yards, while running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush ran for 81 and 53 yards, respectively, while Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick misfired often (12 of 31, 137 yards).

“The word homecoming will take on new meaning and will forever be redefined by what is happening here in the Superdome,” former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said.

Ticket-holder Karen Hill of New Orleans, who said she is helping family members renovate 10 storm-ravaged homes in the area, joined thousands circling the Superdome five hours before kickoff and said: “Think of all the heartache. We’ve needed something else.”

Rita Benson LeBlanc, granddaughter of Saints owner Tom Benson, spoke to the symbolism of the $185 million makeover of the Superdome.

“We still face challenges in rebuilding our homes and our businesses. At the same time, this is proof of what we can accomplish if we can all work together,” she said. “We are proud to take this occasion to announce to the world that New Orleans is open for business.”

Whether the Saints stay in business in New Orleans for the long term remains open to question despite Monday night’s celebration. Asked by the Times-Picayune if he could make a long-term commitment, Benson said: “No, because you don’t know what the future’s going to bring right now.”

Nothing could dampen the emotion of Monday night.

“Tonight at kickoff, we win,” Rita Benson LeBlanc said.

Gleason’s block was recovered in the end zone by Curtis DeLoatch.

Ahead 17-3 after an 11-yard reverse for a touchdown by receiver Devery Henderson and a John Carney field goal, the Saints then blocked another kick, this time a 25-yard field-goal attempt by 46-year-old Morten Andersen, whose career started in 1982 with New Orleans.