NFL Team History - The New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints franchise was essentially formed in a furtive agreement initiated by Congressman Hale Boggs and National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle. At the time, the NFL needed congressional authorization to proceed with the proposed AFL & NFL merger. Rozelle arrived in New Orleans on November 1, 1966, which was ironically All Saints Day, and proclaimed that the NFL had officially granted the city of New Orleans an NFL franchise. Hence, the Congressional committee set up by Hale Boggs promptly authorized the NFL & AFL merger.

John W. Mecom Jr was the franchise's first majority shareholder. The organization was named after the jazz timeless classic 'When The Saints go Marching In'.

Tom Fears was named as the first head coach of the New Orleans Saints franchise. The Saints would suffer a 27-13 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in their inaugural regular season game at Tulane Stadium. Tulane Stadium was the initial home field for the Saints. The opening season resulted in a disappointing 3-11 record. Despite the record, their three wins matched an NFL record for most wins by an expansion franchise.

In 1970, Saints place kicker Tom Dempsey kicked a record-breaking 63-yard field goal. Additionally, the field goal was the game-winning score as the Saints defeated the Detroit Lions 19-17.

The Louisiana Superdome opened its doors to Saints fans in 1975. The first game held at the Superdome was against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 28, 1975. Unfortunately, they suffered a crushing 21-0 shutout.

The New Orleans Saints enjoyed very little success throughout their early years in the NFL. As a matter of fact, it was not until 1979, the franchise's fourteenth season, when they finished as high as second in NFC Western Division.

In 1985, Tom Benson acquired ownership of the New Orleans Saints.