100 New Orleans Saints Facts: The Ultimate Trivia Guide

Whether you’re a lifelong member of the “Who Dat Nation” or just a casual football fan looking for some trivia, there is no denying that the history of this team is as colorful as Bourbon Street itself. In this post, we are diving deep into 100 New Orleans Saints facts that cover everything from their rocky beginnings to their triumphant Super Bowl glory.

The New Orleans Saints have a way of capturing the heart unlike any other franchise. They aren’t just a football team; they are a symbol of resilience for the city of New Orleans. So, grab a coffee (or maybe a beignet), and let’s get into the ultimate list of Saints trivia.

The Birth of the Saints (Facts 1-10)

1. The New Orleans Saints were officially awarded an NFL franchise on November 1, 1966.
2. Because November 1st is “All Saints’ Day” in the Catholic Church, the name “Saints” was the perfect fit.
3. The team’s name was also a tribute to the famous jazz song, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
4. John W. Mecom Jr. was the first majority owner of the team.
5. The Saints’ original colors were going to be “Mecom Blue,” but the NFL said it looked too much like the San Diego Chargers.
6. The owner eventually settled on black and gold as a nod to the oil industry (often called “black gold”).
7. The fleur-de-lis, the team’s logo, is a symbol of the city’s French heritage.
8. The Saints played their very first game on September 17, 1967.
9. In that first game, John Gilliam returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. It was an incredible start, even though they lost the game.
10. Tom Fears was the first head coach in the team’s history.

The Long Road to Success (Facts 11-20)

11. The Saints went 3–11 in their inaugural season.
12. It took the franchise 21 years to finally have a winning season.
13. That first winning season came in 1987 under coach Jim Mora.
14. During the early “bad” years, fans famously wore paper bags over their heads and called the team the “Aints.”
15. The team didn’t win a playoff game until the year 2000.
16. Their first playoff win was against the defending champion St. Louis Rams.
17. Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli, was the star quarterback for the Saints from 1971 to 1982.
18. Despite his talent, Archie never had a winning season with the Saints.
19. Archie Manning was the first player inducted into the Saints’ Ring of Honor.
20. In 1980, the team finished with a dismal 1–15 record.

The Iconic Caesars Superdome (Facts 21-30)

21. The Saints moved into the Louisiana Superdome (now Caesars Superdome) in 1975.
22. Before the Dome, they played at Tulane Stadium.
23. The Superdome is famous for being one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.
24. In 2005, the Superdome was used as a shelter for thousands of people during Hurricane Katrina.
25. Because of the hurricane damage, the Saints didn’t play a single home game in New Orleans during the 2005 season.
26. Their first game back in the Dome in 2006 is legendary—Steve Gleason blocked a punt in the opening minutes against the Falcons.
27. A statue of Steve Gleason’s blocked punt, called “Rebirth,” now stands outside the stadium.
28. The Superdome has hosted more Super Bowls (7) than any other stadium.
29. The Saints’ current owner is Gayle Benson, who took over after her husband Tom Benson passed away.
30. The stadium’s roof covers 13 acres.

Legendary Players and Records (Facts 31-45)

31. Drew Brees is arguably the greatest Saint of all time. He joined the team in 2006.
32. Brees holds the franchise record for most passing yards and touchdowns.
33. Marques Colston, a 7th-round draft pick, became the team’s all-time leading receiver.
34. Alvin Kamara set an NFL record by scoring 6 rushing touchdowns in a single game on Christmas Day 2020.
35. Morten Andersen, the “Great Dane,” is the team’s all-time leading scorer.
36. Rickey Jackson was the first Hall of Fame player to spend the majority of his career with the Saints.
37. The “Dome Patrol” was the nickname for the Saints’ legendary linebacker corps in the late 80s (Jackson, Mills, Swilling, and Vaughan).
38. Willie Roaf is considered one of the best offensive tackles to ever play the game.
39. Cameron Jordan holds the franchise record for most career sacks.
40. Michael Thomas broke the NFL record for most receptions in a single season (149) in 2019.
41. Deuce McAllister was the first Saints player to rush for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.
42. Mark Ingram II is the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards.
43. Kicker Tom Dempsey set an NFL record in 1970 with a 63-yard field goal.
44. Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and wore a custom flat-front boot.
45. Taysom Hill is known as the “Swiss Army Knife” because he plays QB, RB, WR, and Special Teams.

Super Bowl XLIV: The Crowning Moment (Facts 46-55)

46. The Saints won their first and only Super Bowl on February 7, 2010.
47. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31–17.
48. Coach Sean Payton made a gutsy call to start the second half with an onside kick (known as “Ambush”).
49. Thomas Morstead was the rookie punter who executed that famous onside kick.
50. Drew Brees was named the Super Bowl MVP.
51. Tracy Porter sealed the victory with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown.
52. The win happened just over four years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
53. The parade in New Orleans after the win was one of the largest celebrations in the city’s history.
54. The Saints were the underdogs heading into the game.
55. This victory marked the first major professional sports championship for the city of New Orleans.

Coaching and Management (Facts 56-65)

56. Sean Payton is the winningest coach in Saints history.
57. Payton and Brees worked together for 15 seasons.
58. Jim Mora is the second-winningest coach and led the team to its first four playoff appearances.
59. Mike Ditka once traded the team’s entire draft board to move up and pick Ricky Williams.
60. Mickey Loomis has served as the General Manager since 2002.
61. Bum Phillips, known for his cowboy hat and boots, coached the team in the early 80s.
62. Hank Stram, a Hall of Fame coach, also had a stint with the Saints.
63. Dennis Allen took over as head coach after Sean Payton stepped down in 2022.
64. The Saints have only had 16 head coaches in their entire history.
65. In 1987, Jim Mora won the NFL Coach of the Year award.

Fan Culture and “Who Dat” (Facts 66-75)

66. The “Who Dat?” chant originated in the late 19th century but was adopted by Saints fans in the 80s.
67. The full chant is: “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?”
68. The “Who Dat Nation” refers to the global community of Saints fans.
69. Saints fans are famous for dressing up in elaborate costumes, including “The Pope” and “The Optimus Saint.”
70. New Orleans treats every game day like a mini-Mardi Gras.
71. The team’s fight song is “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
72. “Gumbo” the dog is one of the team’s official mascots.
73. “Sir Saint” is the other mascot, known for his large chin and gold helmet.
74. The Saints have a very strong rivalry with the Atlanta Falcons (the “Dirty Birds”).
75. The “No-Call” in the 2018 NFC Championship game against the Rams is still a major point of contention for fans.

Fun and Random Trivia (Facts 76-90)

76. The Saints once wore black helmets during a 1969 preseason game, but they weren’t used again until 2022.
77. New Orleans has hosted the Super Bowl 11 times, but the Saints have only played in one.
78. The Saints have a “Ring of Honor” at the Superdome to celebrate legends.
79. The team was once part of the NFC West before moving to the NFC South in 2002.
80. In 2001, the Saints became the first NFL team to wear black jerseys with black pants.
81. The Saints’ training camp is currently held in Irvine, California (as of 2024), but is usually in Metairie, Louisiana.
82. The team has retired two numbers: #31 (Jim Taylor) and #81 (Doug Atkins).
83. Ironically, Jim Taylor and Doug Atkins were both Hall of Famers who played most of their careers for other teams.
84. The Saints’ practice facility is called the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
85. The team once drafted a punter (Russell Erxleben) in the first round. It didn’t work out well.
86. The Saints’ radio play-by-play announcer is the legendary Bobby Hebert (former QB).
87. Every time the Saints score a touchdown at home, a chorus of “When the Saints Go Marching In” plays.
88. The 2009 team started the season 13–0.
89. The Saints have an official cheerleading squad called the “Saintsations.”
90. In 1971, field temperatures at a game reached 130°F.

Modern Era and Beyond (Facts 91-100)

91. In 2023, the Saints signed quarterback Derek Carr.
92. The Saints have one of the highest sell-out streaks in the NFL.
93. Rashid Shaheed has become one of the most dangerous return men in the league.
94. The team has a strong tradition of finding “diamonds in the rough” via undrafted free agents.
95. Demario Davis is widely regarded as the emotional leader of the current defense.
96. The Saints have won the NFC South division title 7 times.
97. Darren Sharper held the record for most interception return yards in a single season (376) during the 2009 Super Bowl run.
98. The 2011 Saints offense is often cited as one of the most prolific in NFL history.
99. The city’s economy sees a massive boost every time the Saints play a home game.
100. Despite all the ups and downs, the bond between New Orleans and its Saints remains unbreakable.

Conclusion

There you have it—100 New Orleans Saints facts that tell the story of a team that defines its city. From the heartbreak of the “Aints” era to the pure joy of 2010, being a Saints fan is a wild ride. Whether you’re heading to the Superdome or watching from home, there’s always something new to learn about the Black and Gold.