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Magical New Orleans Saints since 1966

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Magical New Orleans Saints since 1966 : The Saints do not just represent a football team, but rather a source of the spirit and resilience of the city of New Orleans and particularly following Hurricane Katrina. The chant Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? (the so-called Who dat chant) has already turned into a slogan of the fans around the globe.

 

Founding & Early Years (1967–1974)

O Their first regular season game was on September 17, 1967, at Tulane Stadium.

O John Gilliam, a rookie, took the opening kickoff 94 yards to a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams but a loss of 27-13 occurred to the Saints.

O Their first year was completed with 3-11, which is normal in expansion league.

 

Fights and the Paper Bag Era (1970s- 1980s)

During the 1970s, the Saints had consecutive losing seasons.

 

Jim Mora Era (1986–1996)

Mike Ditka & Ricky Williams (1997–1999)

 

First Playoff Win (2000-2005)Jim Haslett Era.

 

Hurricane Katrina & Rebirth (2005–2006)

O The Saints employed Sean Payton to be its head coach and signed QB Drew Brees who was recovering a serious shoulder injury.

O The team won 10- 6 and made it to the NFC Championship Game in the first time in the history of the franchise, which led to the hope and represented the resilience of the city.

Super Bowl XLIV Champions (2009 Season)

O Beat Arizona Cardinals (Divisional Round) and Minnesota Vikings (NFC championship).

O Super Bowl XLIV (February 7, 2010): defeated Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

O Signature Moment: The onside kick by Coach Sean Payton, which lacked any warning, to kick off the second half reversed the tide.

O Drew Brees won the super bowl MVP.

O This win was the first and the only Super Bowl of the Saints and it solidified Brees as a legend of the franchise.

Bountygate Scandal (2012)

O Head coach, Sean Payton, was suspended in the whole of 2012.

O Defense coordinator Gregg Williams suspended permanently.

O The general manager, Mickey Loomis, and some of its players were also suspended.

 

The Brees-Payton Era (2006–2021)

o Won several titles in the NFC South (2006, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

o Appeared in NFC Championship Games in 2006, 2009 and 2018.

O Minneapolis Miracle (2017): Saddening down-to-the-wire loss of the playoffs to the Vikings.

O 2018 NFC Championship: No-Call controversy: Pass interference No-Call vs. Rams blocked probable Super Bowl appearance.

 

Post-Brees Era (2021–Present)

 

Franchise Records & Legacy

O Drew Brees (QB, 2006-2020): future Hall of Famer, 2-time Super Bowl MVP, numerous records in NFL history.

O Rickey Jackson (LB): Inaugural Saint into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010).

O Archie Manning, Marques Colston, Deuce McAllister, Willie Roaf, Sam Mills, Cam Jordan.

 

Conclusion

The life of the New Orleans Saints is a tale of survival, success and reinvention. Since decades of heartbreak in their younger days when the fans dressed the part by wearing paper bags and calling them the Aints, the franchise has been the reflection of the spirit of its city in terms of pride, defiance and unyielding-ness.

Also read- Genius Miami Dolphins since 1966

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