Saints fans got their Christmas present the day after with the December 26 45-16 trouncing of arch rival Atlanta coupled with Drew Brees breaking Dan Marino’s 1984 all-time passing record. New Orleans basked in the limelight for several days afterwards.

Brees and his family have embraced this city and New Orleanians have reciprocated, mindful of another football first family whose patriarch earned admiration as Saints quarterback. Brees and his wife have two sons, Baylen and Bowen. They chose the latter name after asking fans for suggestions for a boy’s name staring with the letter B.

As fascinating as is Brees, another favorite has been Darren Sproles. At five feet, six inches, Sproles is currently the smallest player in the NFL. The all-purpose running back was there on the receiving end of Brees’ recording-setting pass and could set a record himself for most all-purpose yards, breaking a record set in 2000 by Derrick Mason who earned 2,690 yards that season. Sproles is currently at 2,528.

With the NFL season nearing its playoff schedule, New Orleans approaches Carnival season. The Phunny Phorty Phellows will herald its arrival on Twelfth Night, January 6, when they board the St. Charles streetcar for a ride along the route, greeting revelers and starting the insanity that will only increase as the calendar marches toward its climax with Mardi Gras on February 21.