- ESPN to honor New Orleans, the Saints and the legacy of one of the most memorable moments in NFL history
- Coverage to revisit the historic September 25, 2006, Monday Night Football matchup that marked the Saints’ return to the Superdome
- Peyton and Eli Manning welcome Saints legends Steve Gleason and Sean Payton, along with Cooper Manning, to the ManningCast
ESPN, in conjunction with the NFL and the New Orleans Saints, will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the historic 2006 reopening of the Superdome, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, following Hurricane Katrina throughout its presentation of Saints-Falcons on Monday Night Football (Oct. 5, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes). The coverage will revisit the September 25, 2006, matchup between the same two teams, which marked the Saints’ emotional return to play in front of their fans, with significant involvement from former Saints players Steve Gleason and Drew Brees.
Across Monday Night Football, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, Monday Night Countdown and additional ESPN and ABC programming, ESPN will spotlight New Orleans’ resilience through the aftermath of the hurricane with exclusive features, special guests, live coverage and original storytelling. The coverage will honor the people and moments that helped unite the city and celebrate the enduring spirit of New Orleans.
The day-long commemoration begins Monday morning when Laura Rutledge appears live from the Caesars Superdome on Good Morning America, previewing ESPN’s special coverage and reflecting on the significance of the anniversary.
Throughout the Monday Night Football telecast, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Rutledge will bring viewers special content and storytelling elements, highlighted by:
- A special open focused on the historic 2006 Monday Night Football game, narrated by New Orleans native Anthony Mackie.
- Robin Roberts voicing a Hurricane Katrina remembrance tribute reflecting on the devastation and recovery that followed the storm.
- Multiple lookbacks at Gleason’s iconic blocked punt, a moment synonymous with New Orleans’ recovery and one of the defining plays in NFL history.
- A feature revisiting the September 2006 game, Brees’ first home game as the Saints quarterback.
- Live coverage of legendary New Orleans performer Irma Thomas singing the national anthem, accompanied by rising local pianist River Eckert.
- Shots of Gleason and Brees joining the “Who Dat” celebration from the field.
- Acclaimed New Orleans ensemble Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will headline a halftime celebration featuring special guests Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile, Cyril Neville and Ivan Neville.
The anniversary tribute will also extend to ESPN2’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, where Louisiana natives Peyton and Eli Manning will welcome Gleason, live from the Superdome, former Saints head coach Sean Payton and Cooper Manning as guests on the alternate presentation.
Monday Night Countdown begins the night with original stories and tributes
Before kickoff, Monday Night Countdown (6 p.m., ESPN and NFL Network) will mark the anniversary with live reports, interviews and original features. From New Orleans, Scott Van Pelt, Pat McAfee, Jason McCourty and Marcus Spears will help guide the show’s coverage of the occasion. NBC’s Mike Tirico, who called the Saints’ historic 2006 return to the Superdome, will join Van Pelt for a conversation reflecting on that unforgettable night. Ahead of his halftime performance, Trombone Shorty will stop by the set as part of the show’s celebration of New Orleans culture.
ESPN NFL features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck will present an original feature centered on Payton and the emotional night before the Superdome reopening. In the feature, Payton recounts bringing his team into the empty, darkened Superdome on September 24, 2006, challenging them to appreciate the magnitude of what awaited them the following evening. The feature explores the leadership, symbolism and emotion behind a moment that continues to resonate throughout Saints’ history.
NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche will also debut an original feature examining Gleason’s blocked punt that set the tone for the Saints’ victory in the 2006 game. The story reunites Gleason and former Falcons’ punter Michael Koenen, whose paths crossed on the famous play. Told through Koenen’s perspective, the feature explores friendship, resilience and the lasting impact of one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
Accompanying both features, Monday Night Countdown will provide coverage of Gleason’s pregame concert appearance in Champions Square as part of the evening’s broader tribute to New Orleans’ culture, spirit and recovery.
Additional information on ESPN’s Week 4 NFL game coverage
ESPN’s Monday Night Football presentation of Saints-Falcons follows NFL Network’s first regular-season game from London this season, featuring the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders on Oct. 4. Additional information on Colts-Commanders can be found here.