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10 Random New Orleans Saints Facts You May Not Know: Fan’s Opinion

By Patrick Michael, Yahoo! Contributor Network Feb 20, 5:05 pm EST


New Orleans Saints random facts
Diehard New Orleans Saints fans probably know most of these random facts. But I'm sure there will be some casual NFL fans who are surprised at some of these random facts. Take a closer look at 10 random New Orleans Saints facts you may not know.

10. Saints went 5-1 in their first preseason
Surprisingly, New Orleans was actually the best NFL expansion team in history up to that point. Among the random feats accomplished by the early Saints was attaining the best preseason record for an NFL expansion team.

9. Saints set NFL record for best two-year start by expansion team
In 1967, New Orleans went 3-11. The following year, they went 4-9-1. Their 7-20-1 combined record set the standard in the NFL for the best start in franchise history. New Orleans fans must have thought a Super Bowl was at hand.

8. There was a movie about the Saints winning the Super Bowl… made in 1969!
Apparently, fans in New Orleans were not the only ones who thought a Super Bowl was on the horizon. In 1969, Charlton Heston starred as an aging Saints QB who had won a Super Bowl in "Number One."

7. Saints led NFL in attendance in 1971
After finishing second to the Cleveland Browns in total NFL attendance for several years, New Orleans finally finished first in 1971. 550,178 fans turned out at Tulane Stadium to see their team go 4-8-2.

6. Saints hired an astronaut as executive VP in 1972
The fact is, I have nothing against astronauts. But just as I wouldn't want Mickey Loomis flying the space shuttle overheard, Richard Gordon lacked the expertise to lead an NFL team. New Orleans was 2-11-1 in 1972.

5. Saints held OJ Simpson to season low in 2,000 yard season
In 1973, Buffalo Bills RB OJ Simpson became the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. In 14 games, only one team held Simpson under 100 yards. In a 13-0 win, New Orleans held Simpson to 79 yards.

4. Saints drafted a kicker in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft
Yes, I know most people know this. But in an article about random Saints facts, I just couldn't leave this nugget out. In 1979, New Orleans drafted K/P Russell Erxleben out of Texas in the first round. Erxleben was a disaster in the NFL.

3. It took the Saints 18 years to win a game on Monday Night Football
New Orleans once had the derisive nickname "the not ready for prime time players" for their futility on Monday Night Football. But in 1984, New Orleans defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 to break their 0-6 start on MNF.

2. Saints have won preseason games in Mexico City, London and Tokyo
In 1978, New Orleans defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 14-7 in Mexico City. In 1990, the Saints beat the Oakland Raiders 17-10 in London. And in 1993, New Orleans outlasted the Eagles 28-16 in Tokyo.

1. Saints are the only NFL team to both win and lose a game 62-7
For some reason, this random fact is my favorite. It encapsulates how far New Orleans has come since 1967. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 62-7 in 1973. Then New Orleans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 in 2011.

Lagniappe New Orleans Saints random facts
The Saints first mascot was a dog (Gumbo). New Orleans' only win in 1980 was played in the snow. Ken Stabler looked older than Charlton Heston in "Number One" as the Saints QB. Hokie Gajan led the NFL in rushing yards per attempt in 1984. New Orleans wore gold jerseys for one game in 2002.

Patrick Michael lives in New Orleans and has always been a big fan of the New Orleans Saints. Patrick's favorite Saints season was 2009 when New Orleans won Super Bowl 44.

10 Random New Orleans Saints Facts You May Not Know: Fan's Opinion - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

UK_WhoDat

Good stuff.

Not as dramtic but Saints held Barry Sanders to just 10 yards rushing in 1990. And 30 odd yards rushing the following year.

skymike

wow, we had TWO ties in 1971.

Euphoria

Either I am getting old or I know to much about my team...

I knew 9 of them.

arsaint

I have that movie mentioned in #8. Not the best, but cool to see it is focused on the Saints.

nicebush25

The record for the best 1st 2 season start by a expansion team is owned by the jaguars. 4-12 & 9-7 they made it to the conference championship the 2nd year as a wild card.

SaintsBro

That "Number One" movie is kinda awesome. If only for the uniforms and the old-school footage of Tulane Stadium, Al Hirt, the team riding on old beat up buses, etc.

Rugby Saint II

I learn something new every day!

Boutte

The Saints traded the first pick in the 67 draft for Gary Cuozzo. The Colts picked Bubba Smith with the pick. If the Saints had drafted Smith they would have had 2 HoF DE's. Doug Atkins being the other one.

In 1969 Danny Abamowicz was named to AP 1st team All-Pro team. But not the ProBowl.

In their first season Dave Whitsell intercepted 10 passes. It's still the team record.

skymike

why do you have marty schottenheimer as your avatar?