CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 03: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints looks on prior to their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints are evacuating the city due to Hurricane Ida, and could even practice and play at AT&T Stadium.
The New Orleans Saints were prepared to play their final game of the preseason on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. However, due to Hurricane Ida hitting the state of Louisiana, the game was ultimately canceled after initially moving the game earlier on in the day. As it turns out, the Saints are taking extra precautions against the impending hurricane.
Per Jeff Duncan and Amie Just of NOLA.com, the Saints have made their plans known to players and staff, with hurricane-force winds and weather well on the way. They will head to the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Saturday afternoon, ahead of the hurricane hitting the Louisiana coast on Sunday afternoon.
Saints evacuating to Dallas ahead of Hurricane Ida
Given that Ida is set to be a Category 4 hurricane, the team is prepared for a lengthy stay in Dallas. If they do, the Saints have a plan in place to practice at AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys, per Duncan and Just. The team is prepared to stay in the area until Wednesday.
The Saints released a statement earlier in the day after canceling their final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
“At the request of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, the NFL and the New Orleans Saints announced Friday, Aug. 27 that due to the impending impact of Hurricane Ida on the Gulf Coast region that the team’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals has been canceled. The game, which was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug 28 was moved to noon at the Caesars Superdome. Due to the intensification of the hurricane throughout the day and after the most recent tropical update, the team’s leadership has made the decision in the best interests of all personnel that may have been directly and indirectly affected by the storm.”
The Saints are making the right call by playing it safe for all involved — including fans who would surely come to the game.