Saints fans are notorious party animals. Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Michael Bagneris recognizes this, and rather than risk chaos in the courtroom, the judge decided to delay a trial based on the "Saintsmania" phenomenon that has swept through the city following the team's win over the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game.
The Saints will play in their first Super Bowl in team history in Super Bowl XLIV against the Colts. Bagneris recognizes the historic significance of the Saints' Super Bowl appearance.
"Many prospective jurors for the Parish of Orleans, several attorneys involved in this litigation and Court personnel plan on traveling to the promised land — the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida," Bagneris wrote in the court order, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "The Court recognizes that this pilgrimage enhances the chances of the Who Dat Nation to acquire the long sought after Holy Grail — the Vince Lombardi trophy."
The impact of Saintsmania on the city isn't being underestimated.
"The court takes judicial notice that Saintsmania permeates the city of New Orleans," Bagneris wrote in his court order.
Bagneris made the ruling to delay the trial on his own, according to the Times-Picayune. The trial – an asbestos lawsuit, originally scheduled to start Feb. 1 — is now set to begin Feb. 9, two days after Super Bowl XLIV.
