New Orleans Saints’ role in priest cover-up revealed in shocking emails team tried to keep secret

The New Orleans Saints played a more extensive role than previously known in a public relations campaign to mitigate fallout from clergy sexual abuse crisis.

The emails shed new light on the Saints ’ foray into a fraught topic far from the gridiron.

They also showed how various New Orleans institutions rallied around church leaders at a critical moment.

Saints president drafted more than a dozen questions that Archbishop Gregory Aymond should be prepared to answer as he faced reporters.

Emails sent from Saints accounts don't specify which clergymen were removed from list or why.

They raise fresh questions about Saints ' role in scandal that has taken on much larger legal and financial stakes since team waded into it.

Outsize role of Saints executives could draw new attention from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , who is scheduled to address reporters Monday .

When clergy abuse allegations came to a head, Saints spokesman Bensel worked contacts in local media to help shape the story.

He had friendly email exchanges with a Times-Picayune columnist who praised the archbishop for releasing the clergy list.

Aymond has flown on the owner’s private jet and celebrated pregame Masses with the Saints .