Many Saints related figures are featured on the Times-Picayune (aka NOLA.com) list of the 25 most influential people in New Orleans sports. Starting at #1 on the list, Saints’ owner Tom Benson take his rightful place. I don’t know that I agree he’s as influential as Drew Brees, but there is no question there is no one in New Orleans more powerful. Forget sports, Benson is one of the most powerful people in New Orleans period.
Other Saints related people that cracked the top 25:
#2 Doug Thornton – Superdome manager
#3 Drew Brees – Team QB. Personally I think he could have easily be slated at 1 or 2.
#5 Sean Payton – head coach. Somehow Chris Paul ended up ahead of him?
#6 Mickey Loomis – general manager.
#13 Rita Benson LeBlanc – heir to the Saints.
#14 Dennis Lauscha – to be honest I don’t really have much of a clue who this guy is, but apparently he’s Benson’s right hand man.
So only one player, one coach, and three front office people made the top 25. I can’t really think of any other players that belong on this list. Reggie Bush is the most high profile after Brees but he’s hardly influential. Bobby Hebert, Archie Manning and Gregg Williams are people who have been on the list before but didn’t make it this time. Considering how huge the Saints are in New Orleans, though, I do find it a little silly that 7 people are included in this list of 25. You mean to tell me Wright Water, commissioner of the Sun Belt, is more influential than ANYONE affiliated with the Saints? Come on NOLA.com, let’s be serious.
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