If the football gods were to mold the perfect superfan out of Mardi Gras beads, daiquiris and pure love for the New Orleans Saints, they’d produce Supa Saint. The golden mustached one played the piano to release his pain after the Saints lost the NFC Championship game in 2006, celebrated the opening of football season by walking around New Orleans with a 40oz and a boombox blasting Guns ‘N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” and recently appeared in a WDSU Channel 6 TV commercial with the Hornets’ mascot, Hugo.

With the 2008 season upon us, HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE thought it’d be good luck to see how Supa Saint prepared for this season, so we met him at a pool on the roof of a Julia St. building to talk about his favorite Saints offseason moves, Jason David and 190 Octane.

Homefield Advantage: What’s Supa Saint been up to since the end of 2007?

Supa Saint: I like to come up here on Friday afternoons, kick back with my 190 Octane. Watch the sun set over the Superdome. I don’t live here, I just hop the fence, but I don’t think they mind. I’ve been living on the side of the Superdome, they have a fence that goes around the dumpster area and I’ve made my Supa Saint headquarters there. I’ve been living there since the last game of last season, making ends meet by eating the leftover hot dogs and nachos and waiting for the new season.

HA: What’s your favorite off-season move the Saints have made?

SS: I like Charlotte, a new Saintsation. She’s got some good measurables, good athleticism, agility, flexibility, really good body type. As far as new players, I like the Jeremy Shockey and Jonathan Vilma moves equally. Vilma might get a slight nod.

HA: ESPN recently had a SportsNation poll that asked fans to name their team’s best ever player. Saints fans picked Bobby Hebert as the best player in Saints history. What do you think about that?

SS: I like Bobby. Look, Bobby and I go way back. We go fishing on Sundays, he watches my kids while I’m out of town—he’s a good kid. I’ve got to say Drew Brees is already the best player in our history, though. He’s my boy.

HA: What’s your favorite Saints moment of all time?

SS: You know what really hits me the heart, even just thinking about it—see these goosebumps right here? In that Falcons game, the first game back in the Superdome, with the national spotlight on us…for my boy Steve Gleason to break through the line and block that punt. If he were in the Olympics coming off the diving board, as fast as they go in that water with no splash, he’d get a 10.0 for the way he executed. After they took it to the end zone, I can’t remember anything that felt quite like that.

HA: What’s your least favorite Saints moment of all time?

SS: Probably the first four games of last year. I wasn’t drinking 190 Octane then, I was drinking Mind Erasers. Really, though, it had to be the early ’80s and the Ditka days. I’d love to forget those, but I can’t.

HA: Did those Ditka teams have any good players?

SS: I’d love to tell you there were a couple…

HA: What was your life like growing up?

SS: I don’t know who my parents are, but a lot of people say that Willie Roaf looks like me, and Joe Horn kind of looks like me, so I don’t know.

HA: What is Supa Saint’s mission statement?

SS: I was put on the West Bank for three reasons and three reasons only. One, I will find a shutdown corner to play opposite Mike McKenzie. There’s a lot of untapped talent just beyond the concrete walls of the Harvey Canal. Second, I will get Section 330 of the Superdome rocking each and every Sunday, you better believe that. Third off, I will never let Kenny’s Key West shut down ever again, and I will not rest until all five of those things have been accomplished or until I have a long night of heavy drinking in Fat City.

HA: What would you say to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to make a case for Rickey Jackson?

SS: I’d love to see him make some child support payments every now and again, but as far as his on the field play, I don’t think anybody could match that. His stats are comparable to some of the best linebackers out there, so I don’t see why not. If it’s just about his play of the field you’ve got to give it to him.

HA: What words of encouragement would you give to Jason David?

SS: I’d say, “Look, Jason. I encourage you to become a lawyer, something else outside of football.” I’ve actually been working with Jason on his footwork, in this pool right here. We run laps inside the pool, with the idea to get our heart rates up and then we’ve been sharing some antics, so I take full responsibility—he’s got to be in top shape to play corner in the NFL.

HA: What’s your game plan for the first regular season game—any parties or tailgating plans?

SS: Right after this interview I’m going over to Beijing to work with some of those athletes a bit, trying to get them going, then I’ll be back before the regular season. We have a float, called the River Parish Disposal Supa Saint ride, with a police escort, a DJ, some cold beer and Mardi Gras beads. We’ll take a few laps around the Superdome and have a good time.

HA: Prediction time: how are the 2008 Saints going to do?

SS: Well, when it comes to predictions, you’ve got to understand that sometimes I have to take a step back, take off the black and gold shades and really take a good look at the product on the field. I tell you, I’m thinking probably 19-0, just to be safe. 16 regular season victories, two playoff victories and a Super Bowl win.

Visit with Supa Saint at supasaint.com.

Interview by Leo McGovern; Photo by Zack Smith.