Image Thanks to Jonathan Bachman, Photoshopper Extraordinaire

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I only got a chance to go to one Voodoo game since I’ve moved to New Orleans. It was impressive in an extravagant, circus-like way. Arena Football takes the most attractive parts of the NFL (high scoring, big hits) and combines it with the NBA’s flair for in-game promotions. The VooDoo seemed like a perfect fit in New Orleans — people here love football and they love theatrics.

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Unfortunately for the team, Tom Benson, owner of the VooDoo and the Saints, didn’t share in New Orleanians delight in both these things and has decided to cease operations. The announcement game in the form of a four-paragraph statement on the team’s Web site:

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By Alejandro de los Rios

This is Derrick Lewis, wide receiver for the VooDoo. Derrick hasn’t practiced since the season started because he has a torn ACL. Lewis isn’t the least bit concerned though.

“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “I’m not at all worried if this injury is season or career ending.”

Strange words coming from someone with such a serious injury. But it’s all because Lewis has another talent to fall back on. Let’s go to the tape:

In case you didn’t know, that’s the opening verse to the theme from “Good Times.” And, as you can see, Lewis is quite adept at singing. So good, in fact, that the VooDoo tapped Lewis to sing the national anthem during the team’s home opener.

Lewis was born and raised in New Orleans and has been singing since he was a boy. His mother, Dorris Fortuné, realized her son’s gifts when he was in the sixth grade and encouraged him to sing in their church’s gospel choir. Lewis also had the benefit of both his parents being musicians. Fortuné was a gospel singer herself and father Milton Lewis plays the saxophone. By the time he was 11, Derrick Lewis was performing at Jazz Fest with Willie Metcalf. Read the rest of this entry »

Seeing as how the New Orleans VooDoo play their season opener on Sunday, I want to encourage everyone to read Adam Norris’ feature from last week’s issue if you haven’t already.

More importantly, though, is that the VooDoo will be holding a pep rally tonight at 7 at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metarie. When was the last time the Saints held a team-organized pep rally? Anybody? All the details can be found here.

Also, Norris mentioned the Arena League has a Fan Bill of Rights but he didn’t really get into the actual wording. Allow me:

• The word Fan is capitalized in every reference. In honor of this, I will do the same in any AFL-related post starting with this one.

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