At least four Laurel residents are among the thousands of New Orleans Saints fans who made the trip to Miami to witness today’s Super Bowl game between the Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
Ellisville Firefighter John Polson, who has been a Saints season ticket holder for more than 30 years, was among the lucky fans to win lottery tickets to the “Big Game.”
The Saints organization made about 4,000 tickets for Super Bowl XLIV available to season ticket holders in January. Season ticket holders were selected to have an opportunity to purchase two tickets to today’s game.
According to the Saints’ Web site, recipients were chosen through a weighted lottery – the same procedure the club has used for past Super Bowl ticket purchases. It is based on the number of years as a season ticket holder, and by the number of seats in the account.
The drawing was held Jan. 26 and season ticket holders who are selected were notified by the telephone number and/or e-mail address listed on their account.
“I couldn’t believe it when I won,” said Polson. “We are given the opportunity to purchase two tickets at half price.”
According to Polson, the cheapest ticket was $1,600. That meant he got two tickets for the price of one.
“I paid $800 a piece for the two tickets I won in the lottery, but I will purchase one or two more at regular price,” said Polson. “I have a brother and sister-in-law who live in Miami.
“I will be staying at their place and wouldn’t want to go and enjoy the game without them,” he said. “This is history.”
Polson said he’s been a Saints fan ever since Archie Manning played with the team. He currently has $6,000 worth of season tickets, which is 16 season tickets.
“I used to have $12,000 worth of season tickets,” said Polson. “I went down to $6,000 because they would be over $20,000 now.”
The price of tickets isn’t an issue to Polson. He said because he is a “die-hard Saints fan,” he was willing to make the sacrifice.
So were retired Attorney Jerry Gilbreath and his friends, Ben and Jonathan Staples. While they wouldn’t say how much they paid for their tickets, Gilbreath acknowledged that it was a little more than the $1,600 Polson paid for the regular priced tickets.
“We’re going to enjoy the game, to be a part of history,” said Gilbreath.
Gilbreath said he and his longtime friend, Ben Staples, have traveled to a number of Saints games together. Seeing the Saints play in a Super Bowl will be a new experience, one which they have been waiting for years.
“I’m going to the game in memory of my father, Jimmie Gilbreath,” said Gilbreath. “He said the Saints were never going to go to the Super Bowl and now here they are. I’ll be in Miami.”
Like Polson, Gilbreath and Ben Staples have been Saints fans since the Archie Manning era. Ben Staples said he and Archie Manning were friends at the University of Mississippi and sat next to each other in a class.
In addition to Manning, Gilbreath is an avid fan of Deuce McAllister. He wears a McAllister jersey to let everyone know it.
“They wouldn’t have gotten where they are without Deuce,” he said.
The younger Staples isn’t as big of a Saints fan as his Super Bowl comrades, but he is just as excited about the game.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun and I don’t know if I can keep up with these guys,” he said. “I know I definitely won’t be able to talk after the game.”
Win or lose, all are proud of their Saints.
“Ben and I are going to be there in New Orleans Tuesday for the big ticker tape parade,” said Gilbreath. “They are going to have that parade Tuesday night, win or lose.”
Jonathan Staples said he will have to miss the parade because he has to return to work Tuesday.
“I’m sure there will be a whole lot of partying going on,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
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Photos/Charlotte A. Graham
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