Raymond Blanco

And Megan, myself, and former governor Blanco, were adamant about the fact that, hey, look, we really need you guys, if nothing else, to stay with us while we work through New Orleans coming back.

The second thing that happened was the late Joe Dean, the LSU Hall of Famer, Carlos Temple, the first African-American scholarship player and basketball player at Baton Rouge, Raymond Blanco, the governor's husband, had to convince her, along with myself, that It was worth putting millions of dollars into the dome while people's houses were not yet back in their homes and their homes weren't refurbished.

The governor was so connected to the pain, Governor Blanco was.

At first, she said, how can we fix up a sports stadium while people have not gotten their money and they have not fixed up their house? After meeting and after convincing her, especially Raymond Blanco, coach her husband, that it could be used as a symbol of recovery, she reluctantly relented and said, okay, guys, let's get this right, but let's make sure that it's just a symbol of recovery, but that we continue to focus on the people of New Orleans.

So two real important historical moments that if the commissioner and those of us in the meeting hadn't implored Benson, I don't know if you have and stay here.

And then Commissioner Tagbu saying, The owners in the NFL will not allow you to leave while the city's in the condition we're in.

We wouldn't be here.

And then secondly, Joe Dean, Carlos Temple, the governor, Raymond Blanco, and myself, understanding the symbol that could be used.