METAIRIE, La. (BRPROUD) — This season, the New Orleans Saints have dealt with all kinds of adversity: losing players to injury, firing a head coach, and having to game plan while a hurricane hit Louisiana. Now, the black and gold have to prepare for the final week of the season amidst tragedy in the city. After having Tuesday off, the Saints returned to practice Wednesday with a much different mindset than they thought they would. The team is now having to juggle the emotions and being leaders within the community during a tragedy while also having to play a football game on Sunday. The Saints are focusing on putting things in perspective and want to be a source of light for the community in this dark moment. "It kind of makes the record and the results kind of disappear, to be honest with you," New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said. "We're at a point where you feel like we're playing this last game for this community. You really do. And so the message is... all we can do is our part. As we left the field, the guys will tell you my message to them was we're going to need to be there and support this community any way we can." "Every time we line up, we're always playing for family, community, all those types of things," Saints safety and New Orleans native Tyrann Mathieu said. "I think this week just kind of emphasized that a little bit more. A lot of people look to us to kind of make their day, make their week a little better. I definitely think it's part of our responsibility to go out there this week and really represent New Orleans." Latest News Baton Rouge Police: Man identified in deadly shooting on Longfellow Drive New Orleans Saints play to be source of light for the city in final game Baton Rouge police investigate two deadly shootings, stabbing to start new year 2024 was second-hottest year in history for Baton Rouge. See other weather trends Trump nominees: 5 confirmation battles to watch