New Orleans Saints Owner and President Gayle Benson Issues a Powerful National Statement After the “Superdome Karen” Scandal — Condemning the Incident as “Un-American, Inhumane, and Completely Against What New Orleans Stands For.”

New Orleans Saints Owner and President Gayle Benson Issues a Powerful National Statement After the “Superdome Karen” Scandal — Condemning the Incident as “Un-American, Inhumane, and Completely Against What New Orleans Stands For.”

New Orleans, Louisiana – October 18, 2025

⚜️ Saints Leadership Speaks Out

Louisiana woke up Friday morning to a powerful message from New Orleans Saints Owner and President Gayle Benson, who addressed the viral “Superdome Karen” controversy that has dominated social media for the past 48 hours.

In her official national statement, Benson condemned the actions of Lisa Renaud, the woman caught on camera during the Saints–Patriots game at Caesars Superdome yelling “Go back to your fk country nig!” at an African American fan.

“Those words were entirely Un-American, inhumane, and against everything New Orleans represents,” Benson said firmly.

Benson also confirmed that Lisa Renaud has been permanently banned from Caesars Superdome and from all Saints-related events.

“We do not tolerate hate — not in New Orleans, not in the Superdome, and not under the American flag,” she declared.

🕊️ The Incident That Sparked Outrage

The confrontation took place during Week 6 of the NFL season, when Lisa Renaud — later dubbed “Superdome Karen” — shouted racial insults at Marcus Brown, an African American Saints supporter attending the game with his white friends.

Brown calmly responded that he was a U.S. Navy veteran who had served in two wars. The situation escalated when Renaud allegedly tried to grab his phone, prompting security to intervene.

Both individuals were escorted out, but public anger centered entirely on Renaud, whose outburst was seen as a clear example of racism and xenophobia in American sports culture.

Within 24 hours, Renaud’s employer Gulf South Media announced her termination, citing a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination, and she later resigned from the Make-A-Wish Louisiana Board of Directors.

💜 Saints Nation Reacts

Benson’s statement spread like wildfire.
On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #WhoDatUnited began trending within hours, as fans and players rallied around the message of unity.

Fans wrote:

“This is why we love New Orleans — it’s not just about football, it’s about family.”
“The Superdome isn’t just a stadium. It’s a symbol of togetherness.”

Safety Tyrann Mathieu reposted the statement with a ⚜️💜 emoji, while quarterback Derek Carr wrote:

“Respect. That’s what Saints football stands for.”

Even rival fans from the Falcons and Buccaneers chimed in with praise:

“I hate the Saints every Sunday — but today, I respect them.”

🇺🇸 A Message Bigger Than Football

Analysts on ESPN and CNN praised Gayle Benson’s swift and compassionate response, calling it “a model of moral leadership in modern American sports.”
They highlighted how the Saints’ stance reflects the team’s long-standing identity — a franchise rooted in diversity, respect, and community.

“The values of sports — teamwork, respect, and empathy — mean nothing if we stay silent in the face of hate,” Benson said.
“The Superdome is sacred ground for millions of Americans — a place where people of every color, language, and belief stand together. That will never change.”

Her words were quickly picked up by USA Today, The Athletic, and multiple major outlets, calling it “the ethical playbook the entire NFL should follow.”

💬 Benson’s Closing Words

“The New Orleans Saints don’t just play in America — we represent America.
And in our house, hate has no home.” ⚜️💜🇺🇸