Established
1967
City
New Orleans
League History
1967 - Present / National Football League
Team History
1967 - Present / New Orleans Saints
Nickname
Saints - The New Orleans Saints are one of the most beloved teams in the NFL, and they have a unique nickname with an interesting backstory. The team was founded in 1967 as part of an expansion into the Deep South. At that time, very few professional sports franchises were located south of Washington, D.C., so giving this new team a name that would reflect its location and heritage made sense.
New Orleans Saints Origin
After much debate among fans and owners alike, it was decided to call the franchise “the Saints” after New Orleans' long history with Catholicism - specifically their patron saint St Louis IX (King Louis). This decision also paid homage to all those who had suffered during Hurricane Katrina by giving them something positive to look forward to – football! Not only did this name capture local sentiment, but it also inspired national pride for those living outside Louisiana's borders due to its religious connotations, thus creating a solid bond between city & state which remains today!
This story is just another example of how sports can bring people together through shared experiences & emotions regardless of whether you live near or far from each other – making us all feel connected no matter our backgrounds! So next time you cheer on your favorite team or player, remember that behind every great success lies some kind soul willing enough to share his/her own story with everyone else around them…in this case, Saint Louis IX himself!
Championship
Super Bowl 1
2010
Stadium
2022 - Present / Caesars Superdome
2012 - 2021 / Mercedes-Benz Superdome
1975 - 2011 / Louisiana Superdome
1967 - 1974 / Tulane Stadium
Owner
2018 - Present / Gayle Benson
1985 - 2018 / Tom Benson
1967 - 1985 / John W. Mecom, Jr.
- 1967
- 1970
- 1985
- 2005
- 2009
New Orleans Saints Team Formation
First, the brainchild of local sports entrepreneur Dave Dixon, who also founded the Louisiana Superdome and the USFL, the Saints were actually secretly born in a backroom deal brought about by Congressman Hale Boggs, Senator Russell Long, and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The NFL needed congressional approval of the proposed AFL-NFL merger. Dixon and a local civic group had been ...
Tom Dempsey Kicks 63 Yard Field Goal
One of the franchise’s early bright moments came on November 8, 1970, when Tom Dempsey kicked an NFL record-breaking 63-yard field goal to defeat the Detroit Lions by a score of 19–17 in the final seconds of the game. The record was not broken until 2013 by Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos.
Saints Owner Tom Benson
He purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he learned from Governor Edwin W. Edwards that the team was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in moving the team to Jacksonville, Florida. As a successful businessman, he recognized the economic implications of such a move not only for the city of New Orleans but for ...
Saints Relocation?… and Katrina
During the Saints’ 2001 negotiations with the state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson would seek relocation if his requests which included renovations to the Superdome, a new practice facility in suburban Metairie, and escalating annual payments from the state to the team could not be met. Though he never made public statements to this effect, Benson’s business ties to ...
Super Bowl XLIV Winner 2009
Super Bowl XLIV was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New Orleans Saints and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Indianapolis Colts to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2009 season. The Saints defeated the Colts by a score of 31–17, earning their first Super Bowl win. The game was played at ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
New Orleans Saints History
The New Orleans Saints history began in 1967 when the franchise joined the NFL. Like many expansion teams, the early years were filled with challenges. However, the team steadily grew and became one of the most competitive organizations in football. Over time, the Saints earned recognition as a major force in the New Orleans Saints NFL legacy.
In the beginning, victories were rare, and fans often waited for brighter days. Things started to improve when coach Jim Mora arrived in the mid-1980s. Under his leadership, the Saints reached the playoffs for the first time. That milestone marked a turning point in the New Orleans Saints history, proving the team could compete on a national stage.
New Orleans Saints Achievements
The arrival of quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton in 2006 changed everything. With their leadership, the Saints won five straight division titles from 2009 to 2013. Transitioning into a true powerhouse, the team delivered one of its greatest moments by winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31–17. Brees earned the game’s MVP award, further cementing his place in the New Orleans Saints NFL story.
Achievements continued in later years. The team added several more division championships, including back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, they secured another playoff berth, showing consistent strength despite a tough postseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Overall, the New Orleans Saints history stands out for resilience, star players, and unforgettable victories that shaped the franchise into one of the NFL’s most respected organizations.
Retired Number
31 / Jim Taylor
81 / Doug Atkins
*Blue is this team’s history