New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. They play in the National Football League as part of the National Football Conference South division. The team was started on November 1, 1966, by John W. Mecom Jr., David Dixon, and the city of New Orleans. They joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1967.

For many years, the Saints had a hard time winning games. They went through 20 seasons without winning more games than they lost or getting into the playoffs. Their first good season was in 1987, but they didn’t win a playoff game until 2000. Things got better in the 2000s and 2010s, and the team often tried to get into the playoffs.

The Saints’ biggest win was in the 2009 season when they won the Super Bowl XLIV. This was the only time the team has ever been in the Super Bowl. Since their early years, the Saints have played their home games at the Caesars Superdome, after starting in Tulane Stadium for their first eight seasons.

History

Main article: History of the New Orleans Saints

Early history

Local sports entrepreneur Dave Dixon and a local civic group wanted an NFL team for over five years. They had hosted big crowds for NFL exhibition games. To help merge the NFL and AFL, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle came to New Orleans and announced on November 1, 1966, that New Orleans would get an NFL team. The team was named after "When the Saints Go Marching In", a famous jazz song from New Orleans. Dixon suggested delaying the announcement until November 1 to match All Saints' Day. He talked to New Orleans' Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, who thought it was a good idea.

John Mecom Jr. era (1967–1984)

U.S. House Majority Whip from Louisiana Hale Boggs helped get the team started. John W. Mecom Jr., an oilman from Houston, became the team's first main owner. The team's colors, black and gold, showed ties to the oil industry. Trumpeter Al Hirt was also part owner.

Tom Fears was the team's first coach. The first game on September 17, 1967, saw Saints receiver John Gilliam return the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, but they lost 27–13 to the Los Angeles Rams. It was a bright spot in a 3–11 season.

For most of their first 20 years, the Saints often finished near the bottom of their division. The 1979 and 1983 teams were the only ones to finish at .500 until 1987.

A big moment came on November 8, 1970, when Tom Dempsey kicked a record 63-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions 19–17. His record stood until 2013.

In 1980, the Saints lost their first 14 games. Local sportscaster Bernard "Buddy D" Diliberto told fans to wear paper bags over their heads at home games. Many bags showed the team as the "'Aints" instead of the "Saints."

Benson era (1985–present)

Jim E. Mora years (1986–1996)

Tom Benson, a car dealer and banker, bought the team in 1985. He hired Jim Finks as general manager and Jim Mora as coach. Together, they gave the Saints their first winning record and playoff spot, going 12–3 in 1987. They made the playoffs four times under Mora, but never won a playoff game. Mora coached until the middle of the 1996 season. His 93 wins were more than the Saints had in their whole history before he arrived.

Mike Ditka years (1997–1999)

After Mora left, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka took over. At first, fans were excited, but Ditka's time was not successful. The Saints went 6–10 in his first two seasons. In the 1999 NFL draft, Ditka traded many picks to get University of Texas running back Ricky Williams. Ditka and his staff were fired after a 3–13 season.

Jim Haslett years (2000–2005)

Jim Haslett was coach from 2000 to 2005. In his first year, he led the team to the 2000 playoffs and their first playoff win. They lost the next week. General Manager Randy Mueller was fired after the 2001 season. The Saints did not make the playoffs in 2001 or 2002. In 2003, they missed the playoffs again. In 2004, they started poorly but had a late-season push. Haslett was fired after a 3–13 season in 2005, when they did not play any home games in New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina.

Effect of Hurricane Katrina

Main article: Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Saints

Because Hurricane Katrina damaged the Superdome, the Saints' 2005 home opener against the New York Giants was moved to Giants Stadium. Their other home games were split between the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

Sean Payton years (2006–2021)

On January 17, 2006, the Saints hired Sean Payton as coach and signed Drew Brees from the San Diego Chargers on March 14.

The team announced their 2006 preseason games would be in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi. After fixing up the Superdome, all 2006 home games were there. On September 19, owner Tom Benson said the team had sold out the Louisiana Superdome for the whole season.

The September 25 home opener was the first home game in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The Saints won 23–3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The game had a sellout crowd of 70,003. Green Day and U2 performed songs before the game. The game is remembered for Steve Gleason's blocked punt that led to a touchdown.

On December 17, the Saints won their third division title and first NFC South title. Sean Payton became the second straight Saints coach to win a division title in his first season. After the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints got a first-round playoff bye. They finished the regular season 10–6.

After the bye, the Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27–24 in the Superdome. This was the farthest the Saints had ever gone at the time. They lost to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game on January 21, 2007.

The Saints sold out the Louisiana Superdome again that season.

The first game of the 2007 season was against the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints lost, and then lost their next three games. They won one game, then had a four-game winning streak to go 4–4. They went 7–7 but lost their last two games to finish 7–9.

The 2008 season ended 8–8. They did not make the playoffs. But their offense was strong. Drew Brees was close to breaking Dan Marino's single-season passing record.

Super Bowl XLIV champions (2009)

Main article: 2009 New Orleans Saints season

The 2009 season was the team's best. They won their first league championship in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts. They started 13–0, the best start in team history. They set a record for the longest undefeated start (13–0) by an NFC team after the AFL–NFL merger. They lost the last three games but still won the Super Bowl.

The Saints won the NFC South in 2010 and made the playoffs. They lost in the wild card round to the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2011, the Saints won the NFC South and finished 13–3. They broke many records. They lost in the Divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.

After a scandal involving coach Sean Payton, the 2012 season was tough. They started 0–4 but won 5 of the next 7 games. They finished 7–9.

In 2013, the Saints started 5–0 but lost to the New England Patriots in Week 6. They were 11–5 and made the playoffs as a wild card. They won their first road playoff game but lost to the Seattle Seahawks.

The 2014 season was difficult. They finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs. Their defense was one of the worst in the league.

The 2015 season was also 7–9. Their defense was very poor.

In 2016, the Saints offense was great but the defense was bad.

In 2017, after starting 0–2, the Saints won their next 8 games to finish 11–5 and win the NFC South. Their defense improved a lot. In the playoffs, they won the wild card game but lost in the divisional round to the Minnesota Vikings. The game ended with a surprising touchdown called the Minneapolis Miracle.

On March 15, 2018, owner Tom Benson died of the flu. His wife Gayle Benson became the new owner.

In 2018, the Saints finished 13–3 and won the NFC South. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.

In 2019, they finished 13–3 and won the NFC South but lost to the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round.

In 2020, the Saints won the NFC South with a 12–4 record. They beat the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Round but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round. It was Drew Brees's last game.

After Brees retired, the 2021 season had many different quarterbacks. They finished 9–8 and did not make the playoffs.

On January 25, 2022, Sean Payton said he was leaving as coach after 15 seasons.

Dennis Allen years (2022–2024)

The team made Dennis Allen the new head coach on February 8, 2022.

On November 14, 2022, after a 3–7 start, fans started a petition to fire Dennis Allen. The Saints finished 7–10 and missed the playoffs. Allen stayed as coach for the 2023 season.

In 2023, the Saints brought in quarterback Derek Carr. They had an easy schedule but finished 9–8 and missed the playoffs again.

Dennis Allen was fired on November 4, 2024, after a 2–7 start.

NFL ownership

The team was started by local leaders including Dave Dixon. Tom Benson bought the team in 1985 and owned it until he died in 2018. He left it to his wife Gayle Benson. She owns the team now.

Legacy

The Saints are known for their loyal fans and their "Who Dat" chant, which is a big part of New Orleans culture. The team helped the city a lot after Hurricane Katrina with their return and strong play.

Seasons

Rivalries

The Saints have several important rivalries. They compete with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. They also have historic rivalries with the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.

Culture

The Saints are closely tied to the culture of New Orleans. The team's name comes from the city's jazz history. Their famous "Who Dat" chant shows the city's spirit. The team also uses local traditions, like adding Mardi Gras themes to their games and events.

Coaching staff and players

The New Orleans Saints are a team in the National Football League (NFL). They play in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints have had many coaches and players over the years.

The team's head coach is Sean Payton. He has been the coach since 2006. The team's star player is Drew Brees, a famous quarterback. He played for the Saints from 2006 to 2020.

The Saints have also had many other great players. Some of these players are Marshall Faulk, Joe Horn, and Willie Roaf. These players helped the team win many games.

The Saints have won one Super Bowl. This was in 2010, when they beat the Indianapolis Colts. It was a very exciting game, and many people watched it.

Honors

The Saints have won one Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLIV), one conference championship, and four divisional championships.

Notable players

The Saints have had many famous players. Drew Brees holds many team records and is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Marshall Faulk was also an important player in the team's early years.

Championships

The Saints have won one Super Bowl championship, Super Bowl XLIV, after the 2009 season. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts and became league champions for the first time.

Draft history

The New Orleans Saints are a professional football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are part of the National Football League (NFL) and play their home games at the Caesars Superdome.

The team was established in 1967. Since then, they have become an important part of the city's culture and community. The Saints have had many memorable moments, including winning the Super Bowl in 2010. This victory was especially meaningful after the challenges the city faced during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Fans of the Saints, known as the "Who Dat Nation," are passionate and loyal. They support the team through all seasons, celebrating wins and showing encouragement during tough games. The team's colors are black, gold, and white, which can often be seen around the city, especially on game days.

The Saints are more than just a football team; they bring people together and create lasting memories for fans and the community.

Franchise records

The New Orleans Saints have many important records in their history. These records show the best and worst moments for the team.

Here are some of the top records for the Saints:

These records help fans remember the team's journey and celebrate its successes.

Media

The Saints are shown on WWL-TV and talked about on WWL-FM and WWL-AM. Jim Henderson tells the story of the games.

Logos and uniforms

The New Orleans Saints team colors are black, old gold, and white. The team almost had a different name, but the league did not allow it. The Saints logo is a fleur-de-lis, a symbol of New Orleans. Their uniforms have gold helmets and black or white jerseys.

The Saints have used mostly the same uniforms since 1967. They used to wear white jerseys at home, but now they wear black ones more often. In 2022, they got new black helmets with gold designs. The team has special uniforms for special games, like throwback uniforms that look like the old ones from 1967.

Stadium

Caesars Superdome is where the New Orleans Saints play their home games. It can hold many fans. The Saints have won when they play against the Houston Texans there, but they have not won any games against the Baltimore Ravens at this stadium.

Rivalries

Divisional

Atlanta Falcons

Main article: Falcons–Saints rivalry

The New Orleans Saints have a long rivalry with the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams joined the NFL in the late 1960s and have played each other many times. This has created a strong rivalry between the two cities. As of the 2025 season, the Falcons are just ahead with 58 wins to the Saints' 57.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Main article: Buccaneers–Saints rivalry

The Saints also have a rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since 2002, both teams have been in the same division. The Saints lead this rivalry with 40 wins to the Buccaneers' 25. They have met in the playoffs once, with the Buccaneers winning in 2021.

Carolina Panthers

Main article: Panthers–Saints rivalry

The Saints and the Carolina Panthers became division rivals when the Panthers joined the NFL in 1995. The Panthers had a winning streak against the Saints from 2002 to 2008. The Saints lead the overall rivalry with 31 wins to the Panthers' 28.

Conference

Minnesota Vikings

Main article: Saints–Vikings rivalry

The Saints and the Minnesota Vikings have met in many important games, including some in the playoffs. As of the 2024 season, the Vikings lead with 25 wins to the Saints' 13.

Los Angeles Rams

Main article: Rams–Saints rivalry

The Saints and the Los Angeles Rams had a strong rivalry before 2002 when they were in the same division. They met again in the playoffs and had some disagreements in the media. As of the 2024 season, the Rams lead with 45 wins to the Saints' 35.

Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have been playing in the NFL since 1967. They have played 58 seasons.

Overall records

Main article: List of New Orleans Saints seasons

Season-by-season records

Single-game records

Some notable single-game achievements by Saints players include:

• Highest passing yards in a game: 510 by Drew Brees
• Most passing touchdowns in a game: 7 by Drew Brees
• Most rushing yards in a game: 206 by George Rogers
• Most receiving yards in a game: 211 by Michael Thomas
• Longest kick return: 304 yards by Tyrone Hughes

Super Bowl appearance(s)

Single-season records

Notable single-season records include:

• Most passing yards in a season: 5,476 by Drew Brees
• Most receiving yards in a season: 1,725 by Michael Thomas
• Most receptions in a season: 149 by Michael Thomas
• Most rushing touchdowns in a season: 16 by Alvin Kamara

Career records

Career highlights for Saints players include:

• Most career passing yards: 68,010 by Drew Brees
• Most career receiving yards: 9,759 by Marques Colston
• Most career rushing yards: 7,250 by Alvin Kamara
• Most career quarterback sacks: 132 by Cameron Jordan

Notable players

See also: List of New Orleans Saints players

Until 2010, no players from the New Orleans Saints were in the Pro Football Hall of Fame unless they played for other teams first. Jim Finks, the team's general manager, helped some players get into the Hall of Fame.

In 2012, Willie Roaf became the second Saint to earn his Hall of Fame spot mostly with the Saints. He was part of the NFL's best team of the 1990s. Morten Andersen joined in 2017, becoming the third player mainly recognized for his time with the Saints. He was only the second kicker ever in the Hall of Fame, after Jan Stenerud in 1991. Sam Mills was added in 2022 as the fourth player mainly for his work with the Saints. In 2026, Drew Brees became the fifth Saint in the Hall of Fame.

Many Saints players have been chosen to play in the Pro Bowl, including Drew Brees, Archie Manning, Deuce McAllister, Jimmy Graham, Marshon Lattimore, and Cameron Jordan, among others.

The Saints also have a Ring of Honor to celebrate important players and people who helped the team. The first three honored were Archie Manning, Rickey Jackson, and Willie Roaf, recognized in 2013.

To celebrate the team's 45th anniversary, the Saints Hall of Fame chose an All-45th Anniversary Team. The team includes great players like Drew Brees, Willie Roaf, Morten Andersen, and coach Sean Payton.

Staff

Coaches

See also: List of New Orleans Saints head coaches

Current staff

The New Orleans Saints have coaches who help the players. These coaches plan strategies and support the team in every game.

Joe Gemelli Fleur-De-Lis Award

The Joe Gemelli Fleur-De-Lis Award is given each year to someone who has helped the New Orleans Saints. The award is named after Joe Gemelli, a store owner in New Orleans who loved sports and supported the team.

• 1989: Al Hirt
• 1990: Joe Gemelli
• 1991: Dave Dixon
• 1992: Charlie Kertz
• 1993: Wayne Mack
• 1994: Erby Aucoin
• 1995: Aaron Broussard
• 1996: Marie Knutson
• 1997: Angela Hill
• 1998: Joe Impastato
• 1999: Frank Wilson
• 2000: Bob Remy
• 2001: Peter "Champ" Clark
• 2002: Dean Kleinschmidt
• 2003: Jim Fast
• 2004: Bob Roesler
• 2005–06: Bernard "Buddy" Diliberto
• 2007: New Orleans Saints fans
• 2008: Barra Birrcher
• 2009: Jerry Romig
• 2010: Dan "Chief" Simmons and Glennon "Silky" Powell
• 2011: Bruce Miller
• 2012: Jim Henderson
• 2013: Peter Finney
• 2014: Al Nastasi and Tony Piazza
• 2015: Doug Thornton
• 2016: Hokie Gajan
• 2017: Jay Romig
• 2018: Michael C. Hebert
• 2019: Gov. Kathleen Blanco
• 2020: Marco Garcia
• 2023: Steve Paretti and Bob Parkinson
• 2025: Ed Daniels

Current roster

Cheerleaders

Main article: Saints Cheer Krewe

The Saints Cheer Krewe (formerly Saintsations) are the cheerleading team for the Saints. There has been a cheerleading team since the team started. The team was called the Saintsations from 1987 to 2021. In 2021, they changed their name to the Saints Cheer Krewe.

Radio and television

See also: New Orleans Saints Radio Network

The New Orleans Saints' main radio station is WWL (870 AM/105.3 FM). Mike Hoss, a reporter and anchor from WWL-TV, is the main announcer. Deuce McAllister, a former Saints player, gives advice during the games.

Most preseason games are shown on WVUE (Channel 8). Tim Brando and Jon Stinchcomb describe these games. Regular season games are shown on WWL-TV when the Saints play against teams from another group, and on WDSU for special Sunday and Monday night games.