Garrett Hartley and Rita Benson LeBlanc "get crunk" in Endymion parade

With the climatic final week of Carnival coming on the heels of the Saints' triumph in Super Bowl XLIV, every parade became an extended black-and-gold Who Dat party for the team and the city. The heroism of the Saints ratcheted up the anticipation factor and made people look forward to the seasonal rituals in a way they could only previously have dreamed about. As icing on the victory cake, players and key personnel appeared in some of the biggest parades. The Krewe of Endymion featured Saints Owner Tom Benson as grand marshal along with his granddaughter, Saints Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc, who rode on a float with kicker Garrett Hartley, linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith. A key hero of the post season, Hartley kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime in the NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings and then went on to become the first player in history to hit three 40-yard-plus field goals in a Super Bowl. Endymion rolled the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. Wearing dark sunglasses and standing atop a float with a huge illuminated fleur de lis, Benson LeBlanc showed no sign of having taken stitches the night before, after getting hit in the eye with beads thrown at the Hermes parade. When the "Black & Gold (Who Dat!!)" version of "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" began blaring from the floats P.A. system, she gamely raised her arms to rally the crowd to "get crunk."

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Krewe of Endymion parade
• Mardi Gras
• New Orleans Saints
• Garrett Hartley
• Rita Benson LeBlanc
• Super Bowl
• victory celebration

[rayoatis]

that's my city.. it was a good time that night.. who dat

[CookifiedCajun92]

i was there and when he passed by me i didn't see him right away so thanks for posting the video :)