Emails detail how the NFL's New Orleans Saints helped the local church handle fallout from sex-abuse scandal

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery New emails show the hand officials from the NFL’s New Orleans Saints had in helping the public relations campaign after the New Orleans Catholic Archdiocese faced a sex-abuse scandal They also showed how various New Orleans institutions — from a sitting federal judge to the local media — rallied around church leaders at a critical moment. I’m angry, hurt and re-traumatized again.” open image in gallery The emails detail exchanged made in 2018 and 2019 as Archbishop Gregory Aymond faced questions when a priest was arrested for the alleged rape of a boy Emails reveal extent of help After the AP first reported on the alliance in early 2020, Saints owner Gayle Benson denied that anyone “associated with our organizations made recommendations or had input” on the list of pedophile priests. They raise fresh questions, however, about the Saints’ role in a scandal that has taken on much larger legal and financial stakes since the team waded into it, potentially in violation of the NFL’s policy against conduct “detrimental to the league.” A coalescing of New Orleans institutions The outsized role of Saints executives could draw new attention from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who is scheduled to address reporters Monday as New Orleans prepares to host its 11th Super Bowl. In emails to editorial boards, he warned against “casting a critical eye” on the archbishop “is neither beneficial nor right.” He urged the city's newspapers to “work with” the church, reminding them the Saints and New Orleans Pelicans — the city's NBA team, also owned by Benson — had been successful thanks, in part, to their support.