Today I wrote a letter to Roger Goodell about bullying mom and pops in New Orleans on the eve of the New Orleans Saints first ever superbowl appearance.
I am calling upon my kos comrade in arms to join the Who Dat Nation in defending itself!
Mr. Goodell –
In our one moment of sunshine you have to go kick us in the teeth? What is wrong with you!?
What the NFL corporate offices do not understand is that "Who Dat" refers to the FANS of the New Orleans Saints. Not the team! As we say down here: WE DEY (translation "That is Us").
Also, what the NFL has been unable to comprehend is that Oak Street Merchants you are bullying have had a horrible time recovering since Katrina because immediately after the storm the city started a street and drainage project, which essentially shut pedestrian and shopping traffic down. On top of their precarious situation, they have to deal with your frivolous cease and desist letters!
Y’all are being bullies to mom and pop Who Dats INSTEAD of picking fights with merchants like Wal-Mart and Walgreens who have been selling Who Dat merchandise for YEARS. While you are at it I would LOVE to see the day that you file suit against Aron Neville. Let me tell you Mr. Goodell – YOU Picking on Da Wrong Peeps!
The fence around Jackson Square is black with fleur de lis finials on them – So what, now - Go Sue the Archbishop!
While on the subject, you may NOT usurp: Y’ats, Lagniappe, It Aint Dere No More, Yo Momma and Dem, Makin Groceries, and Da Quarters....
In Defense of The Who Dats,
MFL (One ANGRY Who Dat)
New Orleans, Louisiana
The short of the story is this: New Orleans Saints fans have called themselves Who Dats since 1983. There are various stories on the origins of it, but Aaron Neville - world famous musician - recorded the song "Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Them Saints" and incorporated Who Dat, Inc.
In addition, Mr. Neville recorded a music video to "Who Dat" with local news anchor Eric Paulsen and 5 Saints Players.
So for at least 27 years we have been free in New Orleans to call ourselves Who Dats, to make Who Dat merchandise, wear black and gold and adorn ourselves with various incarnations of fleur de lis.
The NFL does not own the color black, it does not own the color gold, it sure did not invent the Lily of the Valley (what the symbol fleur de lis is), and it did not create Who Dats.
The NFL just now discovered The Who Dat nation now that they are BEGRUDGINGLY allowing the Saints to play in the Superbowl next week.
It's a money thing, so their first task at hand? Send threatening Cease and Desist letters to mom and pop Who Dats who own retail shops in New Orleans selling Who Dat merchandise and merchandise with non-Saints logo fleur de lis.
The NFL didn't start off bullying companies with deeper pockets like Wal-Mart, Winn Dixie and Walgreens that have been selling Who Dat merchandise for years. No they decided to go after folks who wouldn't be able to manage adding legal bills to their precarious rebuilding efforts in a post-Katrina market.
Companies like American Needle are having to fight the implication of the NFL trying to extend their monopoly. But The Who Dat Nation is officially Up In Arms and they're not gonna take it!
Times Picayune Coverage here