The New Orleans Saints joined the NFL as an expansion team on November 1, 1966, All Saints’ Day.1)
Their inaugural game was on September 17, 1967, against the Los Angeles Rams, which they lost 27-13.2)
John Gilliam returned the opening kickoff of their first game for a 94-yard touchdown.3)
Tom Fears was the Saints’ first head coach, serving from 1967 to 1970.4)
The Saints didn't have a winning season until 1987, 20 years after their establishment.5)
The Saints' official colors are black and gold, representing New Orleans’ connection to the oil industry.6)
Their logo is the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French heritage and New Orleans' cultural identity.7)
The Saints occasionally wear all-black uniforms, which are fan favorites.8)
The team has played at the Caesars Superdome (formerly the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) since 1975.9)
The Superdome was the world’s largest fixed dome when it opened.10)
The Superdome served as a shelter during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and underwent massive renovations afterward.11)
The Superdome has hosted seven Super Bowls, the most by any venue.12)
Quarterback Archie Manning was a fan favorite despite the team's struggles in the 1970s and early 1980s.13)
Drew Brees joined the team in 2006, becoming one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history.14)
Drafted in 2006, running back Reggie Bush became a key player in the Saints’ resurgence.15)
In 1999, the Saints traded all their draft picks for running back Ricky Williams, an unprecedented move.16)
Linebacker Sam Mills was one of the franchise’s first defensive stars and inspired the “Keep Pounding” motto.17)
Wide receiver Michael Thomas set the NFL record for most receptions in a season with 149 in 2019.18)
The Saints won their first and only Super Bowl on February 7, 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.19)
Drew Brees was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV after throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns.20)
The Saints shocked the Colts with an onside kick to start the second half of the Super Bowl.21)
The Saints’ Super Bowl run popularized the “Who Dat” chant among fans worldwide.22)
The Saints achieved a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2009 and 2011.23)
Brees holds multiple NFL records, including career passing yards and completions.24)
Tom Dempsey kicked a then-NFL record 63-yard field goal in 1970.25)
The chant, “Who Dat? Who dat say they gonna beat them Saints?” is a staple of fan culture.26)
The Saints are closely tied to New Orleans' Mardi Gras tradition, with team floats often appearing in parades.27)
Despite decades of struggles, Saints fans have remained among the NFL's most passionate.28)
The Saints made the NFC Championship Game in 2006, a year after Hurricane Katrina.29)
The 2011 Saints set an NFL record for most yards gained in a single season (7,474).30)
A missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams cost the Saints a Super Bowl appearance31)
Sean Payton coached the Saints from 2006 to 2021, leading them to their only Super Bowl win.32)
General manager Mickey Loomis has been instrumental in building competitive teams.33)
The Saints' defense, historically a weakness, became a strength in the late 2010s.34)
The Saints’ biggest rivalry is with the Atlanta Falcons, dating back to 1967.35)
The Saints also have a heated rivalry with the Carolina Panthers, especially since the 1990s.36)
The Saints’ rivalry with the Buccaneers intensified when Tom Brady joined Tampa Bay.37)
In the 1980s, fans wore paper bags over their heads and called the team the “Aints” due to poor performances.38)
Steve Gleason’s blocked punt in 2006 symbolized the city’s resilience after Katrina.39)
The Saints’ linebacker corps in the late 1980s and early 1990s was one of the best in NFL history.40)
The Saints were instrumental in lifting the spirits of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.41)
The Saints players and organization are heavily involved in local charities and community projects.42)
Jazz musician Al Hirt was one of the team’s original minority owners.43)
Gumbo, a St. Bernard dog, serves as the team’s official mascot.44)
The Saints overcame a 26-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in 1987, marking the largest comeback in franchise history.45)