Saints fans hold up signs during a game against the Falcons.
Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Add Awful Announcing as a preferred source on Google
Add Awful Announcing as a preferred source on Google
Monday night’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons was emotionally charged, as the game was the 20th anniversary of the “Domecoming” game at the Superdome.
In 2006, the Domecoming was the first game held at the Superdome in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A little over a year before kickoff, the Superdome had served as a mass shelter for citizens of New Orleans as Katrina caused devastating damage across the city. The first game back felt like a rebirth of sorts for the city, and the Saints delivered. After stuffing the Falcons on their first possession of the game, special teamer Steve Gleason blocked a punt, which his teammate Curtis Deloatch recovered in the end zone to send the home crowd into pandemonium.
20 years later, the legacy of the Domecoming game remains one of the most impactful in American sports. To honor the anniversary, the Saints and ESPN held several thoughtful tributes to the game that was.
On Monday Night Countdown, Scott Van Pelt spoke with NBC play-by-play man Mike Tirico, who called the Domecoming game for ESPN before changing networks. Tirico was one of several prominent figures who spoke with Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder for his oral history of the game.
Mike Tirico joined Scott Van Pelt on ESPN to talk about calling the Falcons-Saints game 20 years ago for the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
https://t.co/HnOaFhx1wo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2026
When the Monday Night Football broadcast officially began, ESPN shared a video package produced by Michelle Beisner-Buck detailing the incredible lead up to the Domecoming game, including interviews with Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
20 years later, the return to the Superdome remains one of the most surreal moments.
@MichelleBeisner detailed the story of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the role the Saints played in its aftermath. https://t.co/o8ojbOqie8
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2026
Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and has spent his life since raising awareness and funds for the fight against the disease, appeared with his family and his teammate on the fateful play Deloatch to help lead the crowd in a “Who Dat” chant. The roars were deafening.
Steve Gleason, Curtis Deloatch and friends lead Who Dat Chant 🗣️ https://t.co/BFMlx6BmAt
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 6, 2026
For the national anthem, the Saints brought back singer Irma Thomas, who sang the anthem at the Domecoming game, to open the game once again. She was accompanied by pianist River Eckert.
After singing at the original “Domecoming” game in 2006, Irma Thomas sang the national anthem accompanied by River Eckert. https://t.co/tVhIuyesAx
— ESPN (@espn) October 6, 2026
Actor and New Orleans native Anthony Mackie provided the voiceover for another emotional video package. Top-tier stuff from ESPN right here:
On a Monday night in 2006, Falcons-Saints was more than just a football game.
It was an emphatic message that the people of New Orleans would endure and rebuild after Katrina.
20 years later at the Dome, there’s still no place like home. https://t.co/B8AG9RzHfo
— ESPN (@espn) October 6, 2026
When the game got going, the Falcons struck first, with running back Bijan Robinson breaking free for a long touchdown and adding a second score later in the first quarter. But eventually, the Saints got their moment, with wide receiver Chris Olave coming down with a catch and taking it for a big gain of his own, prompting another incredible cheer from the Superdome crowd.
“OLAVE WITH A LOT OF ROOM!”
#Saints | 📺: ESPN https://t.co/9zf72RA1s3
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 6, 2026
The Saints would punch the ball in for a touchdown that drive with the help of veteran running back Alvin Kamara.
“Kamara – TOUCHDOWN SAINTS!”
#Saints | 📺: ESPN https://t.co/UpxMpdjMUk
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 6, 2026
Emotions are going to be running high all night in New Orleans, but both the team and the broadcast did a great job of showing just how special that game 20 years ago was.
Matt Rhule
Matt Rhule
White Sox guardians
White Sox guardians
David Samson
David Samson
Portland Trail Blazers mascot Blaze waves a flag before a game against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center.
Portland Trail Blazers mascot Blaze waves a flag before a game against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center.