New Orleans - The Saints are gaining national respect. From SportsIllustrated.com saying the Saints have a realistic shot of a perfect season to ESPN saying we could see a Colts, Saints matchup for the Superbowl, the national media are praising Sean Payton and company.
All the hype has Saints fans feeling great about the team they've supported for almost 42 years.
Dave Dixon, so widely known as the 'Father of the Superdome' says he still gets tears in his eyes when he watches the fans during a game. Since the Saints were born in 1967, Dixon says the fans were always there to support them.
The Saints though have for years been the perrenial underdogs, but a lot has changed.
The team is now getting national recognition. Commentators are calling them, the crème of the crop and some are even predicting a trip to Miami.
Fans say just hearing the national praise, brings a sense of pride they've never experienced before. Tulane Psychologist Dr. Charles Figley says the Saints fans have taken the persona of the team.
Figley says, "They have become accustomed to being disappointed and suddenly they've begin to have hope."
Doctor Figley says it's natural and healthy for fans to believe in their team.
Even Dave Dixon says he still has to pinch himself every now and then.
Dixon says, "It feels magnificant. I can't believe it, you know. I'm in wonderment everytime I scream after a touchdown. I say, what is it. Where am I."
In the history of the franchise, the Saints have only been to the playoffs 6 times. They've only won, twice. The team made it to the NFC Championship game only once, when they lost to Chicago. This season, the Saints are 7 and 0, but they still have 9 games to play.
