The New Orleans Saints played a more extensive role than previously known in local church leaders’ damage control during a crisis brought on by clergy engaged in an alleged systemic campaign of sexual abuse,

A trove of emails shows the team’s leadership using its influence in New Orleans to aid the archdiocese, including writing talking points for media interviews.

The New Orleans Saints have responded to the release of internal emails detailing their involvement in the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ public relations efforts amid the clergy sexual abuse crisis. In a statement,