History of the New Orleans Saints facts for kids

The New Orleans Saints are an American football team in the NFL. They were formed in 1967 and are based in New Orleans, Louisiana. This article shares the exciting history of the Saints, from their early days to their biggest triumphs.

How the Saints Began (1960s)

The city of New Orleans got its NFL team on November 1, 1966. This happened because local people worked hard for it, and important politicians like Senator Russell Long and Congressman Hale Boggs helped. They made sure New Orleans got a team as part of a big merger between the NFL and another league.

Oilman John W. Mecom Jr. became the team's main owner. He paid $8.5 million for the team. Later, Tom Fears was named the first head coach. The team was named "Saints" because it was founded on Catholic All Saints Day. This name was perfect for New Orleans, a city with many Catholic traditions. The team's first home was Tulane Stadium.

The Saints started their first season in 1967 with a bang! Wide receiver John Gilliam returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. However, they lost that game and finished their first season with a 3–11 record. This was still good for an expansion team back then. In the next few years, they slowly got a little better, finishing 4–9–1 in 1968 and 5–9 in 1969.

New Divisions and Star Players (1970–1974)

In 1970, the Saints joined the NFC West division. They would play against teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Rams, and San Francisco 49ers for many years.

The 1970 season was tough. After a bad start, coach Tom Fears was replaced by J.D. Roberts. In Roberts' first game, Tom Dempsey kicked an amazing 63-yard field goal to win the game as time ran out. This was an NFL record for 43 years! What makes it even more incredible is that Dempsey was born without toes on his kicking foot. Despite this big win, the Saints finished the season 2–11–1.

Archie Manning, a legendary Saints quarterback, was one of the first players to join the team's Ring of Honor.

In 1971, the Saints drafted Archie Manning, a talented quarterback from Mississippi. Manning showed great promise, leading the team to exciting wins. He became the team's main quarterback. Even with Manning, the Saints struggled, finishing 4–8–2 in 1971 and 2–11–1 in 1972. New coaches John North led the team to 5–9 records in 1973 and 1974.

Moving to the Superdome (1975–1979)

In 1975, the Saints moved into their new home, the Louisiana Superdome. But the new stadium didn't bring immediate success. They finished 2–12.

In 1976, Hank Stram became head coach. He had won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his success didn't transfer to the Saints. They went 4–10. In 1977, they finished 3–11, including a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who got their first NFL win against the Saints after 26 straight losses.

Things started to look up in 1978 when Dick Nolan became coach. Archie Manning had his best season, throwing for 3,416 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was even named the NFC's Most Valuable Player by some sports news. The Saints finished 7–9, their best record ever at that time. They almost made the playoffs but lost some close games.

In 1979, the Saints continued to improve. After a slow start, they won five of their next six games and even led their division for a short time. They finished the season 8–8, which was their first time not having a losing record! It was also the first time they finished higher than third place in their division.

Tough Times and New Ownership (1980–1985)

The 1980 season was very difficult for the Saints. Despite having a good offense, their defense struggled. They started 0–12, and coach Dick Nolan was fired. They ended up winning only one game all season, finishing 1–15. This was the worst record in team history at the time. Fans even started wearing paper bags over their heads to games because the team was so bad, earning them the nickname "Aints."

In 1981, Bum Phillips was hired as head coach. The Saints had the first pick in the 1981 NFL Draft and chose running back George Rogers. Rogers was the NFL's rushing champion that year, running for 1,674 yards. But even with Rogers' great play, the team finished 4–12.

In 1982, the Saints traded Archie Manning. They finished 4–5 in a strike-shortened season, just missing the playoffs. In 1983, they improved again, finishing 8–8, tying their best record. They lost a heartbreaking final game that kept them out of the playoffs.

In 1984, the team's owner, John Mecom, decided to sell the Saints. Many people worried the team might move out of New Orleans. But on May 31, 1985, Tom Benson, a businessman from New Orleans, bought the team. This meant the Saints would stay in their home city.

In 1985, Bum Phillips resigned during the season, and his son, Wade Phillips, took over as interim coach. The team finished 5–11. A bright spot was the play of quarterback Bobby Hebert, a Louisiana native, who had played in another league before joining the Saints.

The Jim Mora Era (1986–1996)

New owner Tom Benson made big changes before the 1986 season. He hired Jim Finks as general manager and Jim Mora as head coach. The team's offense struggled, but the defense got much better. New Orleans improved to a 7–9 record.

The 1987 season was special. After a player strike, replacement players were used for a few games. When the regular players returned, the Saints lost one more game, then went on an amazing nine-game winning streak to finish the season 12–3! This was incredible because the Saints had never won nine games in an entire season before. They made the playoffs for the first time in team history! They hosted the Minnesota Vikings but lost 44–10. Despite the loss, it was a huge step forward for the team. Coach Mora and general manager Finks were named NFL Coach and Executive of the Year.

In 1988, the Saints started strong with a seven-game winning streak but then struggled, missing the playoffs. In 1989, they finished 9–7 but still missed the playoffs.

In 1990, the Saints started poorly but turned their season around. They finished 8–8 and made the playoffs as a wild card team. They lost to the Chicago Bears 16–6.

The 1991 season was even better. The Saints started with a team-record seven-game winning streak. They finished 11–5 and won their first-ever division title! They hosted the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs but lost a close game 27–20.

In 1992, the Saints finished 12–4 but came in second to the 49ers in their division. They made the playoffs again as a wild card team but lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles 36–20. This was their fourth playoff loss in a row.

The team started to decline in 1993. They began 5–0 but then lost many games, finishing 8–8 and missing the playoffs. In 1994 and 1995, they finished 7–9. In 1995, they even finished last in their division, behind a brand new expansion team, the Carolina Panthers.

In 1996, after a 2–6 start, coach Jim Mora resigned. He was the most successful coach in Saints history, with 93 wins. The team finished the season 3–13, their worst record since 1980.

The Mike Ditka Era (1997–1999)

Before the 1997 season, owner Tom Benson hired Mike Ditka, a famous coach from the Chicago Bears. Fans hoped he would bring a Super Bowl win to New Orleans. However, the Ditka era was a challenging time.

In 1997, Ditka led the team to a 6–10 record. The team had a strong defense but an inconsistent offense. The 1998 season was also 6–10. The team had many different quarterbacks playing.

In 1999, Ditka made a huge trade to get running back Ricky Williams, a college football star. The Saints traded all their remaining 1999 draft picks and some future picks to get him. Ditka boldly predicted the Saints would go to the Super Bowl. However, the team struggled with injuries and a weak defense, finishing 3–13. After the season, Tom Benson fired Ditka and his entire coaching staff. The Ditka era saw many different quarterbacks and a defense that went from good to bad.

The Jim Haslett Era (2000–2005)

To replace Ditka, Tom Benson hired Randy Mueller as general manager and Jim Haslett as head coach. Mueller brought in many new players, including wide receiver Joe Horn and quarterback Jeff Blake.

After a slow start, the Saints found their rhythm in 2000, winning six games in a row. Joe Horn became a star receiver. When Ricky Williams and Jeff Blake got injured, backup quarterback Aaron Brooks stepped up. He led the team to big wins, including an upset over the defending champion St. Louis Rams. The Saints finished 10–5 and won their first division title since 1991!

In the playoffs, the Saints faced the Rams again. New Orleans took a big lead and held on to win 31–28, securing their first-ever playoff victory! The next week, they lost to the Minnesota Vikings. Still, the 2000 season was a huge success. Haslett and Mueller were named Coach and Executive of the Year.

Inconsistency and Hurricane Katrina (2001–2005)

The next five seasons were tough. In 2001, the Saints were inconsistent and finished 7–9. They traded Ricky Williams to the Miami Dolphins and drafted running back Deuce McAllister.

The 2002 season started well, with the Saints winning 6 of their first 7 games. But they had a late-season collapse, losing three crucial games and finishing 9–7, missing the playoffs. Fans wanted backup quarterback Jake Delhomme to play, but coach Haslett stuck with Aaron Brooks. Delhomme later signed with the Carolina Panthers and led them to the Super Bowl, which was tough for Saints fans to watch.

In 2003, the Saints started 1–4 but finished 8–8. Deuce McAllister had a great season, running for 1,641 yards. In 2004, the Saints had another heartbreaking finish. They won their last four games to finish 8–8, but just missed the playoffs due to tiebreakers.

The 2005 season was greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Saints were forced to move their headquarters to San Antonio, Texas. They played "home" games in different stadiums. The team struggled, finishing 3–13. Star running back Deuce McAllister suffered a season-ending injury. Coach Jim Haslett lost his job at the end of the season.

The Sean Payton and Drew Brees Era (2006–2022)

The 2006 season marked an incredible turnaround for the Saints. They went from a 3–13 record to playing in the conference championship game! First-year head coach Sean Payton made big changes. He signed quarterback Drew Brees, who was recovering from a serious shoulder injury. Many teams were worried about Brees's injury, but the Saints took a chance on him. This decision changed the team's future.

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Saints drafted running back Reggie Bush and wide receiver Marques Colston, who became a star despite being a late draft pick.

The 2006 season started with wins. The Saints' first home game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina was a special Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. The city was full of excitement. The Saints dominated the game, winning 23–3, with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown right at the start. This game became a symbol of New Orleans' recovery.

The Saints kept winning, finishing the regular season 10–6. They won the NFC South title and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs for the first time ever. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27–24 in the divisional playoff game, their second playoff win in team history. They then played the Chicago Bears in their first-ever NFC Championship game but lost 39–14. Drew Brees had a record-breaking season, and several players went to the Pro Bowl.

Ups and Downs (2007–2008)

The 2007 season started with a tough loss to the Super Bowl champions. The Saints struggled with inconsistency and finished 7–9, missing the playoffs. In 2008, they finished 8–8, again missing the playoffs.

The Road to Super Bowl XLIV (2009)

The 2009 season was magical. The Saints started with an amazing 10–0 record! They beat strong teams like the New England Patriots. They clinched the NFC South division title with a thrilling overtime win against the Washington Redskins. The Saints finished the regular season 13–3, earning the top spot in the NFC playoffs.

In the divisional round, they crushed the Arizona Cardinals 45–14. In the NFC Championship game, they faced the Minnesota Vikings in an epic battle. The game went into overtime, and the Saints won with a 40-yard field goal by Garrett Hartley, sending them to Super Bowl XLIV!

The Super Bowl was against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts took an early 10–0 lead. The Saints fought back, and in the third quarter, they surprised everyone with an onside kick to start the half, which they recovered! Drew Brees threw a touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas, giving the Saints their first lead. Later, Brees threw another touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey. With the Saints leading 24–17, quarterback Peyton Manning of the Colts threw an interception that was caught by Saints cornerback Tracy Porter, who returned it 74 yards for a game-clinching touchdown! The Saints won 31–17, finally winning a championship after decades of trying. New Orleans erupted in celebration!

Post-Super Bowl Seasons (2010–2011)

The Saints didn't quite reach their 2009 level in 2010. They finished 11–5 and made the playoffs as a wild card team. They lost a wild game to the 7–9 Seattle Seahawks in the first round, 41–36, which included a famous long touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch.

In 2011, the Saints had another great regular season, finishing 13–3. Drew Brees broke the NFL's single-season passing yardage record. They won their division title. In the wild card round, they beat the Detroit Lions 45–28. In the divisional round, they faced the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling game where the lead changed hands four times in the last four minutes. The Saints lost 36–32 on a last-second touchdown pass.

Challenges and Return to Playoffs (2012–2017)

The 2012 season was difficult due to a league investigation that led to coach Sean Payton and some players being suspended. The team struggled, finishing 7–9, their first losing season since 2007.

In 2013, Sean Payton returned. The Saints had a successful season, going undefeated at home and finishing 11–5. They won their first road playoff game in franchise history against the Philadelphia Eagles but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

The 2014 and 2015 seasons were disappointing, with the Saints finishing 7–9 both years, mainly due to a struggling defense. In 2016, their 50th season, they again finished 7–9 despite having a top offense. Drew Brees threw for over 5,000 yards, and running back Mark Ingram II and wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas had great seasons.

In 2017, the Saints returned to the playoffs with an 11–5 record. They traded running back Adrian Peterson early in the season, and rookie Alvin Kamara had a fantastic year. They beat the Carolina Panthers in the first round. However, they lost to the Minnesota Vikings in a heartbreaking game known as the "Minneapolis Miracle," when the Vikings scored a game-winning touchdown on the final play after a missed tackle.

More Success and Controversies (2018–2020)

The 2018 season was the first without longtime owner Tom Benson, who passed away. His wife, Gayle Benson, took over. The Saints had another strong season, finishing 13–3 and earning a first-round playoff bye. Drew Brees broke the record for most career touchdown passes.

In the playoffs, they beat the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. However, they controversially lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2018 NFC Championship Game. A crucial play in the fourth quarter involved an uncalled penalty against the Rams that many believed should have been called. This led to a field goal for the Saints instead of a likely touchdown, and the Rams went on to win in overtime. This "NOLA No-Call" caused a lot of upset among Saints fans and even led to a rule change in the NFL.

In 2019, the Saints had another 13–3 season, even with Drew Brees missing five weeks due to injury. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater led them to a 5–0 record during that time. Despite 13 wins, they lost tiebreakers and had to play in the wild card round. They lost to the Minnesota Vikings in overtime, 26–20.

The 2020 season saw the Saints go 12–4, winning nine straight games at one point. They even shut out the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38–3. Drew Brees missed some games with an injury, but backup Taysom Hill played well. The Saints made history by sweeping their division (beating every team twice) for the first time ever. They beat the Chicago Bears in the wild card round but then lost to the Buccaneers in the divisional round. This game marked the end of an era, as Drew Brees announced his retirement on March 14, 2021, exactly 15 years after he signed with the Saints.

Missing the Playoffs (2021)

The 2021 season was the first without Drew Brees since 2005. Jameis Winston became the starting quarterback but suffered a season-ending injury. Wide receiver Michael Thomas also missed the entire season. Despite these challenges, the Saints had some big wins, including a 38–3 shutout of the Green Bay Packers. They also swept the defending champion Buccaneers again. However, they finished 9–8 and missed the playoffs.

Post-Payton Era (2022-present)

On January 25, 2022, Sean Payton announced his retirement. He became the winningest coach in Saints history. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen was named the new head coach on February 8, 2022.

Images for kids

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  The moment Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman committed an uncalled defensive pass interference penalty on Tommylee Lewis during the 2018 NFC Championship Game