Special success for Saints

Porter: Sealed the win with defensive touchdown in the fourth quarter

It means so much. Words can't describe how much this means for New Orleans. I am a Louisiana native, and this is real big

Tracy Porter
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Reggie Bush believes New Orleans can finally be proud of the Saints after they shocked the Indianapolis Colts to win Super Bowl XLIV.

The Saints upset the odds with a 31-17 triumph at SunLife Stadium in Miami to clinch the franchise's first ever NFL title.

The manner of their victory was particularly impressive as they rallied from a 10-0 deficit at the end of the first quarter to topple the much-fancied Colts.

Bush believes the success of the team is a welcome boost for New Orleans coming less than five years after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Special

"I think it makes it more special because of the fashion in which we did it and the city that we did it for, a city that was pretty much destroyed in a hurricane," he said.

"They need something to be proud of. After 30, 40 years of terrible seasons here in New Orleans, now they can be proud of the Saints."

Quarterback Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes while kicker Garrett Hartley knocked over three field goals to put New Orleans 24-17 ahead.

They sealed the victory when cornerback Tracy Porter picked off a Manning pass intended for Reggie Wayne and returned it 74 yards to the end zone.

For Louisiana native Porter - who was picked by the Saints in the second round of the 2008 entry draft - the result was particularly special.

"It means so much. Words can't describe how much this means for New Orleans. I am a Louisiana native, and this is real big," he said.

Great play

Manning was quick to praise both Porter and the Saints having come up short in his bid to lead Indianapolis to a second Super Bowl win in four years.

"He made a great play," the four-time MVP, whose father Archie played quarterback for the Saints, said. "That's all I can say about it. Porter made a heck of a play.

"Certainly it's disappointing. We were down seven there and on the drive before, that was disappointing as well.

"We had a good drive going, got down there, had good field position.

"I give the Saints a lot of credit. They played well in all phases, made some critical plays on special teams, defence made stops when they had to, and (quarterback) Drew (Brees) did a good job getting his team in the end zone. They deserve the win."