The Ultimate Guide to New Orleans Football Teams and Their History
Having spent over a decade studying American football culture, I've always found New Orleans' relationship with the sport particularly fascinating. While researching various athletic performances across different sports, I recently came across an interesting statistic from a completely different arena - a tennis match where the encounter lasted just an hour and seven minutes, with Eala displaying steady form and finishing with zero double faults. This got me thinking about how New Orleans football teams have demonstrated similar resilience and consistency throughout their histories, though their games certainly last much longer than sixty-seven minutes.
The heart of New Orleans football undoubtedly beats with the Saints, a franchise that has experienced dramatic highs and heartbreaking lows since their establishment in 1967. I remember watching the 2006 season like it was yesterday, when the team returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina and delivered one of the most emotionally charged performances in NFL history. That season wasn't just about football - it was about a city healing through the determination of its team. The Saints have consistently drawn massive crowds, with attendance numbers regularly exceeding 70,000 passionate fans at the Caesars Superdome, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in professional sports.
Before the Saints dominated the professional scene, college football had already carved out its own significant place in New Orleans culture. Tulane University's Green Wave has been competing since 1893, making it one of the oldest college football programs in the South. Having attended numerous games at Yulman Stadium, which holds approximately 30,000 spectators, I can personally attest to the unique charm of college football in this city. The pageantry, the marching bands, the student sections - it all creates a different kind of energy than the professional games, yet equally captivating in its own right.
What many people don't realize is that New Orleans briefly hosted an NFL team before the Saints arrived. The city had professional football as early as 1967 when they secured the franchise, but there was nearly a different team altogether. Rumor has it that there were discussions about relocating an existing franchise to New Orleans in the early 1960s, though the details remain murky among football historians. The Saints' early years were challenging, with the team not achieving its first winning season until 1987 - a full twenty years after establishment. That kind of patience from a fanbase is rare in professional sports today.
The Superdome itself deserves special mention in any discussion about New Orleans football. Having visited numerous NFL stadiums across the country, I can confidently say there's nothing quite like the atmosphere inside that iconic structure. Built at a cost of approximately $134 million (which would be over $750 million in today's dollars), the stadium has undergone significant renovations totaling nearly $400 million since 2005. The numbers are staggering, but what's more impressive is how the building has become synonymous with the city's resilience and capacity for celebration.
When it comes to the Saints' impact on the community, the numbers tell only part of the story. The team generates an estimated $500 million in economic impact for the city annually, though I'd argue the cultural value is immeasurable. From hosting ten Super Bowls (more than any other city) to the countless community initiatives supported by the organization, the Saints are woven into the fabric of New Orleans in ways that transcend typical team-city relationships. I've seen firsthand how game days transform the entire city, with the French Quarter buzzing with black and gold hours before kickoff.
Looking at the current landscape, the Saints continue to draw impressive viewership numbers, with local television ratings consistently ranking among the top NFL markets despite recent roster changes. The team's social media presence has grown exponentially too, adding approximately 150,000 new followers across platforms last season alone. These numbers matter because they demonstrate the enduring connection between the team and its fans, something that can't be manufactured or easily replicated in other markets.
As someone who's followed this team through hurricanes, rebuilding seasons, and that glorious Super Bowl XLIV victory, I believe what makes New Orleans football special isn't just the wins and losses. It's the way the team embodies the city's spirit - resilient, passionate, and always ready to celebrate. The Saints aren't just a football team here; they're part of our identity, our recovery story, and our weekly ritual. Whether you're watching from the stands or listening from a porch in the Garden District, you're participating in something that goes far beyond sports. That's something no other city can quite replicate, no matter how hard they try.
