When New Orleans church leaders prepared to release a list of priests accused of sexual abuse, they didn’t go it alone. Instead, they turned to an unexpected partner: the New Orleans Saints. Hundreds of internal emails obtained by The Associated Press reveal how team executives, including the president and senior VP of communications, played a key role in shaping the church’s public response to the scandal.

The Saints’ involvement was more extensive than previously known. Team officials helped draft questions for Archbishop Gregory Aymond, reviewed media strategies, and even consulted with local prosecutors before the list of accused priests was made public. One email showed a Saints spokesman discussing how certain names were removed from the list before its release.

The team’s owner, Gayle Benson, has long been close to the archdiocese, donating millions to Catholic causes and frequently hosting Aymond at team events. The emails highlight how the Saints’ executives worked to protect the church’s image during a turbulent time, even as victims and advocates criticized the effort as a cover-up.

“We felt betrayed by the organization,” said Kevin Bourgeois, a former Saints season ticket holder who was abused by a priest in the 1980s. “It forces me to question what other secrets are being withheld.”

The Saints have denied any wrongdoing, stating they did not influence the list of accused priests and were simply offering public relations support. However, the emails suggest a deeper collaboration, raising ethical concerns about the team’s role in a matter far removed from football.

The scandal has far-reaching implications, with over 600 plaintiffs alleging abuse by clergy and the Archdiocese of New Orleans filing for bankruptcy in 2020. The Saints’ involvement could also draw scrutiny from the NFL, which prohibits conduct detrimental to the league.

As New Orleans prepares to host its 11th Super Bowl, these revelations cast a shadow over one of the city’s most beloved institutions and its ties to the church.