The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame

Attached Thumbnails · 08-07-2022, 11:16 AM

When Pro Football Hall of Fame officials notify honorees about their induction, one of the first things they do is request personal artifacts to display in a locker exhibit at the museum in Canton, Ohio.

Sam Mills’ family immediately went to work. They dug into boxes of Sam’s personal belongings from his playing days in New Orleans and Carolina to see what they could find. In one of the boxes, they uncovered a one-of-a-kind item: black military fatigues with gold lettering. The nameplate over the chest: MILLS. The unit: N.O. SAINTS. Mills’ No. 51 was stitched on one front pocket. A gold patch of Louisiana was on the other.

“When we saw it, we knew immediately what it was,” said Marcus Mills, one of Sam’s three sons. “Who else has a big, black onesie jumpsuit sitting around?”

Marcus and his brothers, Andre and Sam III, where there on that day in 1988 when his father and Saints teammates Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson and Pat Swilling posed in the outfits for the iconic "Dome Patrol" poster on the apron of the Superdome.

The poster instantly became one of the most popular in the line produced by Seattle-based Costacos Brothers, and a must-have collector’s item for Saints fans. It remains an enduring symbol of the famed Dome Patrol teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s, a cherished piece of memorabilia from the first great era of Saints football.

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jeanpierre likes this.

skymike · 08-07-2022, 04:44 PM

I Love this.
I remember the poster well, but never actually had one of my
own... makes me want to look for it online.

AsylumGuido · 08-07-2022, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by skymike

I Love this.
I remember the poster well, but never actually had one of my
own... makes me want to look for it online.

They are not available on eBay at all. I just read where the guy that produced them way back then is considering a limited reissue because of demand.

Rugby Saint II · 08-08-2022, 11:41 AM

Every kid that watched Saints games had one of those pistetsand some full grown men like me.

Crusader · 08-08-2022, 03:54 PM

The Saints would be smart to purchase the copyright to the poster if they don't allready own it. I bet they could crank out a couple thousand every year.

Boston Saint · 08-08-2022, 04:00 PM

Two HOF players in that poster!

K Major · 08-08-2022, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Boston Saint

Two HOF players in that poster!

Black and gold goggles OFF ....

Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod?

AsylumGuido · 08-08-2022, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Black and gold goggles OFF ....

Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod?

It's not looking good at all. He's been eligible since 2004 and has never even made it to the semi-finalist list (top 25). He only has two more years of modern era eligibility left.

Boston Saint · 08-08-2022, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Black and gold goggles OFF ....

Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod?

Probably not.

Crusader · 08-08-2022, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Boston Saint

Probably not.

Agreed. Swilling was a tremendous football player but probably not on HoF level.

08-07-2022, 11:16 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,201 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) When Pro Football Hall of Fame officials notify honorees about their induction, one of the first things they do is request personal artifacts to display in a locker exhibit at the museum in Canton, Ohio. Sam Mills’ family immediately went to work. They dug into boxes of Sam’s personal belongings from his playing days in New Orleans and Carolina to see what they could find. In one of the boxes, they uncovered a one-of-a-kind item: black military fatigues with gold lettering. The nameplate over the chest: MILLS. The unit: N.O. SAINTS. Mills’ No. 51 was stitched on one front pocket. A gold patch of Louisiana was on the other. “When we saw it, we knew immediately what it was,” said Marcus Mills, one of Sam’s three sons. “Who else has a big, black onesie jumpsuit sitting around?” Marcus and his brothers, Andre and Sam III, where there on that day in 1988 when his father and Saints teammates Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson and Pat Swilling posed in the outfits for the iconic "Dome Patrol" poster on the apron of the Superdome. The poster instantly became one of the most popular in the line produced by Seattle-based Costacos Brothers, and a must-have collector’s item for Saints fans. It remains an enduring symbol of the famed Dome Patrol teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s, a cherished piece of memorabilia from the first great era of Saints football. more here Twitter Attached Thumbnails jeanpierre likes this.
Views: 1004

08-07-2022, 04:44 PM	#2
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame I Love this. I remember the poster well, but never actually had one of my own... makes me want to look for it online. subguy, iceshack149, neugey and 2 others like this.

08-07-2022, 05:49 PM	#3
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Originally Posted by skymike I Love this. I remember the poster well, but never actually had one of my own... makes me want to look for it online. They are not available on eBay at all. I just read where the guy that produced them way back then is considering a limited reissue because of demand.

08-08-2022, 11:41 AM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Every kid that watched Saints games had one of those pistetsand some full grown men like me.

08-08-2022, 03:54 PM	#5
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame The Saints would be smart to purchase the copyright to the poster if they don't allready own it. I bet they could crank out a couple thousand every year.

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08-08-2022, 04:00 PM	#6
Boston Saint 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5,137	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Two HOF players in that poster! Crusader and K Major like this.

08-08-2022, 04:13 PM	#7
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,622 Blog Entries: 3	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Originally Posted by Boston Saint Two HOF players in that poster! Black and gold goggles OFF .... Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod?

08-08-2022, 05:14 PM	#8
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Originally Posted by K Major Black and gold goggles OFF .... Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod? It's not looking good at all. He's been eligible since 2004 and has never even made it to the semi-finalist list (top 25). He only has two more years of modern era eligibility left.

08-08-2022, 05:22 PM	#9
Boston Saint 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5,137	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Originally Posted by K Major Black and gold goggles OFF .... Does Pat Swilling ever get the nod? Probably not.

08-08-2022, 05:36 PM	#10
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025	Re: The story behind the iconic Dome Patrol poster, and how it lives on in the Hall of Fame Originally Posted by Boston Saint Probably not. Agreed. Swilling was a tremendous football player but probably not on HoF level. Boston Saint likes this.