The New Orleans Saints have enjoyed a breadth of recent popularity coming off of their first Super Bowl win last season, and many people have jumped on the bandwagon, each claiming to be a truer fan than the next. But Sophomore Corey Lee is not one of these fans.

Lee considers himself a super fan, and he has been for quite some time. Originally from Louisiana, Lee attributes his love for the Saints to his childhood upbringing.

“Growing up in the New Orleans metro area, it sort of came to my blood,” Lee said. “[New Orleans] was the only team I ever watched. It was the first actual sporting event that I ever went to in my life.”

Being such an avid fan for his whole life, Lee is slightly resentful of those who have only recently become Saints fans.

“Everyone kind of liked them until recently, when they won the Super Bowl,” Lee said. “Then everybody started showing off. I was one of those people that, even though they lost all the time, still wore the T-shirts.”

Despite a little resentment, Lee was overjoyed when the Saints clenched their first Super Bowl win in team history.

“When they won, I just started screaming and yelling, and running around for a good ten minutes,” Lee said. “I cried in front of everyone.”

But Lee also said that the Saints’ Super Bowl win held an even deeper meaning for him.

“If you are from the city, it’s hard to put into words how much that meant to you, especially after all the stuff we’ve been through,” Lee said. “Sometimes I still get goosebumps.”

For Lee, the Saints serve as a reminder of the struggles his hometown has faced in the past.

“The Fleur-de-lis is a symbol of where I’m from,” Lee said. “The Saints are a symbol of what we’ve gone through with Katrina as a city. I mean, even when Katrina hit [the Saints] went three and 13. Then they came back with a new coach, new players and a whole new regiment. It really is a metaphor for the recovery of Katrina. It just uplifted the whole city.”

Now, Lee couldn’t be happier with how the Saints are doing this season, but he is quick to add that he isn’t the type of fan that just wants wins all the time.

“I want them to at least play well,” Lee said.

Lee said that even if the Saints end up losing this season, he doesn’t expect anything else from them. He is just really glad they finally won the Super Bowl and gave the city of New Orleans a reason to celebrate.