Local fans of the New Orleans Saints get their chance to see the Lombardi Trophy in town today.
The Saints are teaming up with The National Guard and the United States Marine Corps as a part of the team's "Championship Tour." The tour, which includes the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the Super Bowl champion, stops at the Shreveport Convention Center today. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
"I think it's a great thing," Shreveport resident Chris Linn said. "It's about time. Words cannot explain (for the Saints winning the Super Bowl.) Thank God for being a Saints fan."
Although Linn plans to go, another Shreveport resident, Preston Lowder, does not. However, he also is glad Shreveport is included in this tour and what the Super Bowl has done for the area and state.
"It is good for morale, especially after Hurricane Katrina." Lowder said. "It lifted everyone up despite the oil spill that is going on. You can call it a heavenly light."
Shreveport will mark the Championship Tour's second stop after Monroe on Wednesday. The tour will also go to different areas of the Gulf South such as Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Jackson, Miss. The tour is free and open to the public.
"Our fans are the inspiration and foundation of our success, it is important to me and our organization to share these symbols of our championship with as many of our fans throughout the Gulf South as possible," Saints owner Tom Benson said in a statement.
Benson's granddaughter shares the same feelings.
"We are excited to share the Vince Lombardi Trophy and our world championship with the most deserving fans in all of sports," Saints owner and executive vice-president Rita Benson LeBlanc said in a statement.
"Nowhere is the bond between a team and its fans stronger than with the Saints and our fans in the entire Gulf South region."
Among the displays the tour will have, fans will get a chance to see the Lombardi Trophy, Drew Brees' Super Bowl helmet, the official Super Bowl ring, the Saintsations, Marine displays, interactive Saints Experience games, other Saints memorabilia, and ticket information for the 2010 season.
