Super Bowl brings out local fans for each team

At first glance, it might not seem like Chattanoogans have much reason to cheer for two teams based more than 400 miles north and southwest of the city.

But this weekend's Super Bowl XLIV has local fans of both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints itching for a win.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning spent his college years at the University of Tennessee, and his local fan base has stayed solid since he graduated in 1997.

Chattanooga also has become home to many former New Orleans residents who moved here after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Mike Adams, owner of Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant downtown, said the New Orleans-style eatery is decked with Saints gear for Sunday's big game. He said fans who come to the restaurant Sunday can expect a Creole-style buffet, the game on big screen TVs and the team's anthem of the season, the Ying Yang Twins' song "Stand Up and Get Crunk."

"New Orleans has the most dedicated fans probably in the history of the game," said Mr. Adams, who was displaced by Katrina. "I think it's an excellent opportunity for us to come together and really enjoy the game of the century for us."

This is the Saints' first trip to the Super Bowl. It's the Colts' fourth, and their second as an Indianapolis team. They played in the Super Bowl twice as the Baltimore Colts. It's also Mr. Manning's second Super Bowl appearance.

Longtime UT Vols fan and Chattanooga resident Paula Lowrance, 52, said this weekend's matchup hits close to home because of Mr. Manning's legacy at Tennessee. Mrs. Lowrance has been a Manning fan since he donned Tennessee orange in the mid 1990s.

"I like that he is the humble type that doesn't go around here acting like a fool," Mrs. Lowrance said. "I just like that strong humility. He's awesome, but he doesn't go out and brag about it."

Mr. Manning has been lauded for his ability to shred a defense with his passing and to make midgame adjustments. He brought Tennessee's football program national merit with four consecutive winning seasons and an overall record of 39-5 as a starter, and he holds the university's passing record with 11,021 yards and 89 touchdowns.

For local fans of each team, Sunday's matchup holds a special place. For Saints enthusiasts, it's the win that would give New Orleans hope. For Colts fans, it's a national tie to Vols pride.

"For the community itself, this is a good thing to happen to them to bring the community together," said James O'Neil, a 49-year-old Chattanooga resident and New Orleans native. "They really feel like they are part of a winning team now."

"It really represents our university well, especially when we've gotten a lot of bad publicity lately," said Austin Miller, a 22-year-old University of Tennessee graduate student. "It's good to have a good role model -- it reflects well on the university."

Tennessee has been in the spotlight after its coach, Lane Kiffin, left to be head coach at the University of Southern California. Several Vols football players were arrested in November 2009 in connection with an armed robbery, and four Vols basketball players were arrested in January on drug and weapons charges.

Those on both sides of the Super Bowl battle say the Colts-Saints contest is the perfect matchup for what should be a high-powered contest.

"It's going to be hard to win this game," Mrs. Lowrance said. "The Saints play a lot like the Colts do. I think the only advantage that the Colts have is Peyton Manning."

"They're going to see a little bit of Katrina," said Dwight Douglas, 41, a self-proclaimed diehard Saints fan who came to Chattanooga after the hurricane hit.

"You know how earthquakes have aftershocks? Well, this is the aftershock of Katrina coming through Miami."