1966
The NFL awards its 16th franchise to New Orleans on the most fitting of days: November 1st — All Saints Day.
1967
The Saints open the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams before a packed house of 80,879 in Tulane Stadium. Rookie John Gilliam ran back the opening kickoff for a 94-yard touchdown.
1970
Tom Dempsey kicks a record 63-yard field goal on the game’s finale play. The Saints beat Detroit 19-17.
1971
Ole Miss Quarter Back Archie Manning is drafted.
1975
The Saints play their first football game in the Superdome.
1976
Hank Stram is named the Saints’ 5th Head Coach.
1980
Saints go 1-15 this season and earn the nickname the Aints.
1981
O.A. (Bum) Phillips is named the 8th Head Coach.
In the 1981 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints selected Heisman Trophy-winner George Rogers with the first pick overall.
The Saints also draft Rickey Jackson, the best defensive player in Saints history. Jackson would go on to play for the team for 13 seasons. In 2010, Jackson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1982
Veteran QB Archie Manning is traded to the Houston Oilers.
The Saints draft placekicker Morten Andersen. The Great Dane would play 13 seasons for the Saints. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2017.
1985
Tom Benson reaches agreement with John Mecom, Jr. to buy the Saints.
Saints head coach Bum Phillips resigns.
The Saints draft wide receiver Eric Martin out of LSU.
1986
Jim Finks is named president AND general manager of the Saints.
Jim Mora is named the Saints’ 10th head coach.
The Dome Patrol — Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson and Pat Swilling — play together for the first year
1987
Pope John Paul II visits the city, launching the catchphrase, Bless You Boys.
The Saints, led by The Dome Patrol, clinch a winning record for the 1987 season for the first time in the franchise’s 20-year history.
1990
Morten Andersen kicks a 24-yard FG with :02 left to beat the L.A. Rams, 20-17 which evened the Saints’ final record at 8-8 & gave them a berth in the NFC playoffs
1991
Cha-Ching! The Saints win their first-ever NFC West title with an 11-5 record.
1992
The Cajun Cannon, Bobby Hebert, becomes Quarterback
1993
The Saints draft future Hall of Famer Willie Roaf.
1995
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the Saints’ new practice facility on 5800 Airline Drive in Metairie;
1996
After a 19-7 defeat to the Carolina Panthers a day earlier, Saints head coach Jim Mora, the longest-tenured coach in all of professional sports, resigns after 10 1/2 years with the team.
1997
Mike Ditka is named the Saints’ 12th head coach in the club’s history.
1999
The Saints trade their entire draft for the right to select Ricky Williams in the NFL draft
The Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out” is a crowd favorite.
Aaron Brook starts as quarterback, replacing an injured Jeff Blake.
2000
Jim Haslett is named as the Saints’ 13th head coach.
Saints win first playoff game in franchise history on December 30th against the St. Louis Rams.
2001
Saints picked Ole Miss RB Deuce McAllister with their 1st selection in the NFL draft
2004
Stand up and get crunk! Halftime (Stand Up) debuts.
2006
The Saints hire coach Sean Payton and quarter Drew Brees, and draft Reggie Bush and Marques Colston. The Saints beat Atlanta in a “Domecoming,” the first contest at the Superdome since Katrina — thanks in part to Steve Gleason blocked punt.
2010
Farve on the ground! Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal helps the Saints defeat Minnesota, 31-28, in the NFC Championship game at the Superdome. The Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Gardens, Florida.
2011
The Saints draft Cam Jordan.
2012
Drew Brees set an NFL record with touchdown passes in 48 straight games, breaking the mark set by Johnny Unitas.
2018
Drew Brees tops Peyton Manning’s record of 71,940 passing yards with a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Tre’Quan Smith. Rapper Choppa’s hit “Choppa Style” becomes the anthem for 2018 playoff run.
2019
We were robbed.
2021
Drew Brees retires after 20 NFL seasons.
2022
Dennis Allen named new head coach
2023
Derek Carr named quarterback.
“Snap. Placement. Kick by Hartley.
And it is …
It is good! It’s good!
It’s gooood!
Pigs have flown.
Hell is frozen over.
The Saints are on their way to the Super Bowl.” – Jim Henderson
