7/06/2010 - 11:51 AM

Lottery Sponsors New Orleans Saints Championship Tour

The Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints are launching a "Championship Tour" featuring the Lombardi Trophy throughout the Gulf South region during the month of July. The "Championship Tour," which is being presented by The United States Marine Corp., The National Guard and the Louisiana Lottery, will feature extensive displays celebrating the Saints' 31-17 Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010.  Each stop throughout the Gulf South region will be open to the public and will be free of charge. Fans will have the opportunity to view special display elements commemorating the team's championship season. In addition, the Lottery will give fans a sneak peek at its 2010 Saints-branded scratch-off scheduled to launch Aug. 2.

The Championship Tour will begin in northern Louisiana next week with stops in Monroe (July 7; Monroe Civic Center; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Shreveport (July 8; Shreveport Convention Center; 10a.m.-6 p.m.). The tour will also include stops in: Lake Charles (July 13; Lake Charles Civic Center; 10a.m.-6 p.m.), Alexandria (July 14; Alexandria Riverfront; 10a.m.-6 p.m.), Lafayette (July 15; Lafayette Convention Center; 10a.m.-6 p.m.), Houma (July 20; Houma Terrebone Civic Center; 10a.m.-6 p.m.), Baton Rouge (July 22; Baton Rouge River Center; 10a.m.-6 p.m.), Jackson, Ms. (July 26), Pensacola, Fl. (July 27), Mobile, Al. (July 28), and Biloxi/Gulfport, Ms (July 29). Please visit NewOrleansSaints.com for more information on each stop as the dates near.

"Our fans are the inspiration and foundation of our success, it is important to me and our organization to share these symbols of our Championship with as many of our fans throughout the Gulf South as possible," said Saints Owner Tom Benson.

"We are excited to share the Vince Lombardi Trophy and our World Championship with the most deserving fans in all of sports," said Saints Owner/Executive Vice-President Rita Benson LeBlanc. "Nowhere is the bond between a team and its fans stronger than with the Saints and our fans in the entire Gulf South region.   We are very proud of the positive attention this Championship has brought our city, state and region and encourage all of our fans to come celebrate their Championship with us."

Among the notable displays that will be included on the tour will be: The Vince Lombardi Trophy, a Super Bowl display featuring Saints' MVP QB Drew Brees' Super Bowl helmet and jersey as well as other memorabilia from Super Bowl XLIV, a highlight video, the Halas Trophy (won in the team's 31-28 NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings) and photos taken by official team photographer Michael C. Hebert. There will also be displays featuring the official Super Bowl ring, an area to view memorabilia celebrating the playing career of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee LB Rickey Jackson. In addition there will be exhibition areas including the presence of the official cheerleading squad of the Saints, the Saintsations, and an interactive element featuring Saints Experience games, as well as displays by the Marines and officially licensed Saints memorabilia and ticket information.