The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Since 1975, the team plays its home games at Caesars Superdome after using Tulane Stadium during its first eight seasons. Founded by John W. Mecom Jr., David Dixon, and the city of New Orleans on November 1, 1966, the Saints joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1967.
Elisha Archibald Manning III is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982. He also had brief stints with the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Manning is the patriarch of the Manning football dynasty, having preceded sons Peyton and Eli as a successful NFL quarterback.
Richard Alvin Petitbon is an American former football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). Petitbon first attended Loyola University New Orleans on a track and field scholarship and left after his freshman year to play college football for the Tulane Green Wave. After playing as a quarterback at Tulane, he played as a safety for the Chicago Bears from 1959 to 1968, the Los Angeles Rams in 1969 and 1970, and the Washington Redskins in 1971 and 1972. Petitbon recorded the second most interceptions in Bears history with 37 during his career, trailing Gary Fencik. Petitbon also holds the Bears' record for the longest interception return, after scoring on a 101-yard return against the Rams in 1962. As of 2019, he also holds the Bears record for the most interceptions in a game—3 against the Green Bay Packers in 1967—and most interception return yards in a season.
Daniel Stanley "Danny" Abramowicz is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Xavier Musketeers. He played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. He was named a first-team All-Pro with the Saints in 1969, when he led the league in receptions. He became a coach after his playing career.
John David Roberts was an American college and professional football coach. He was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) from the middle of the 1970 season until his dismissal after four preseason games in 1973. He played college ball for the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) was a professional American football minor league that operated from 1962 to 1973. Until 1969, many of its franchises had working agreements with National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL) teams to serve as farm clubs. The league paid a base salary of $100 per game and had 36 players on each active roster.
Gary Samuel Cuozzo is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. After football, he had a career as an orthodontist, and spoke publicly to youth about the dangers of drug abuse, after the death of his son in a drug related shooting.
Hugo Andrew Hollas was an American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. He also was a member of the San Antonio Wings in the World Football League (WFL). He played college football at Rice University
Richard D. Lyons, Sr. is an American former professional football defensive back who played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL), the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League (WFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.
D'Artagnan Athos Martin is an American former professional football cornerback who played one season with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft after playing college football at Kentucky State College.
Tom Kennedy was an American football quarterback. He played for the New York Giants in 1966.
Milton Jackson was an American football coach for 26 seasons. He had different coaching positions for the California Golden Bears, Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Oilers, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens. Also, he was drafted in the 7th round (170), by the San Francisco 49ers but did not play for them. Instead, he played for the San Jose Apaches, and Sacramento Capitols.
Carlos R. Bell is an American former professional football running back, fullback, and tight end who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints in 1971. He also played for the Richmond Roadrunners/Saints of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL).
Charles Henry "Bo" Wood is a former American football player and high school coach. He played for the Atlanta Falcons in 1967 and coached the Cherry Hill East Cougars high school team for 33 years.
Chester A. Franklin is a former American football player, coach, and executive. He won two Super Bowls in his career, both as a member of the Oakland Raiders.
The Quad City Raiders were a professional American football team based in the Quad Cities region, which includes Rock Island, Illinois and neighboring Davenport, Iowa. In 1965, the Raiders joined the Professional Football League of America (PFLA) as the Rock Island Raiders became charter members. The Quad City Raiders remained in the PFLA until its merger with the Continental Football League in 1968, with the franchise evolving to become the Las Vegas Cowboys.
The Des Moines Warriors were a professional American football team based the Des Moines, Iowa from 1965 to 1967. In 1965, the Warriors became charter members of the Professional Football League of America (PFLA) and played exclusively in the league.
The Joliet Chargers was the final nickname of the professional American football franchise based in Joliet, Illinois from 1964 to 1967. The Joliet Explorers played the 1964 season as members of the United Football League. In 1965, Joliet became charter members of the Professional Football League of America (PFLA) and played the next three seasons in the league. The 1967 Joliet Chargers were an affiliate of the San Diego Chargers.
Richard Thomas Swatland was an American football guard who played one season in the American Football League (AFL) for the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Notre Dame and was selected in the 8th round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Swatland also spent time with the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL), the Washington Redskins and New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
