Saints fans use ironic T-shirts to show grief

Saints fans and players have started to go through stages of grief since finding out their beloved coach won't be a part of the 2012 NFL season. First comes denial, then pain, anger and depression.

The fifth step: Creating an ironic T-shirt.

Via NewOrleans.com, we learned that New Orleans' own Fluerty Girl came first with her Free Payton shirt. Then came Dirty Coast with its Free Sean Payton Shirt.

As a former NOLA resident, I know that beautiful city is feeling a lot of pain this Wednesday. The Saints are like a member of every New Orleans family. On this day, the Saints are the wayward cousin that let everyone else down yet again.

That can only lead to the final stage of grief. Expect the bars in the Cresent City to do brisk business tonight.