History of the New Orleans Saints
From the 1966 franchise award and a 1967 debut at Tulane Stadium to Super Bowl XLIV.
The New Orleans Saints were organized in 1967 after the city was awarded an NFL franchise on November 1, 1966, a grant tied to the approval of the NFL–AFL merger by Senator Russell Long and Congressman Hale Boggs and pushed locally by David Dixon and sports editor Crozet Duplantier. The team won Super Bowl XLIV in the 2009 season.
Quick Facts
- Franchise awarded
- November 1, 1966
- First owner
- John W. Mecom Jr. ($8.5 million bid, December 15, 1966)
- First head coach
- Tom Fears
- First home
- Tulane Stadium
- Divisions
- Capitol 1967
- Century 1968
- Capitol 1969
- NFC West 1970–2001
- Championship
- Super Bowl XLIV (2009 season)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Six groups bid for the team; on December 15, 1966, John W. Mecom Jr. became majority shareholder and president with a winning bid of $8.5 million, and Tom Fears was named head coach. The name "Saints" was announced on January 9, 1967, chosen because the franchise was born on All Saints' Day in a largely Catholic city. Tulane Stadium was the original home ground.
Did You Know?
- The name "Saints" was announced on January 9, 1967, and reflects the franchise's November 1 birthday, All Saints' Day.
- Archie Manning was among the first players inducted into the Saints' Ring of Honor.
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