Tens of thousands welcome Saints home

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The team was a few hours behind schedule, but no fans left early from their spots along Veterans Boulevard near the airport. Tens of thousands of people gathered as hundreds have done throughout the season to wave at the Saints' passing cars. This time, so many came that police repeatedly cleared fans from the overpass before the team cars and SUVs passed below. Parked cars lined the roadways along the airport runways. A chain link fence was put up shortly ahead of the caravan. Most were cheering and chanting thank-yous to darkened windows on the vehicles. Fans held out Saints flags, handmade signs of "Thank you boys" and "Super Bowl champs."