With historic Super Bowl, New Orleans becomes the perfect American story of rebirth

Super Bowl win gives New Orleans a rebirth story

NEW ORLEANS — Swarms of fans are greeting the Super Bowl-winning Saints, showering them with “Who Dat!” chants and the sense the team is returning to a rejuvenated New Orleans.

Aside from bringing a championship to a hard-luck city, Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts is feeding feelings the city can overcome the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and solve long-standing problems.

Forty-six-year-old Dwight Henry, co-owner of the Buttermilk Drop bakery and cafe, says the win is yet another example of the city’s resiliency.

In another sign of change, New Orleans elected Mitch Landrieu as mayor on Saturday to replace term-limited Ray Nagin.