New Orleans Saints are a professional football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL) . The team competes in the South Division of the National Football Conference (NFC). The Saints play their home games in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Saints began playing in the NFL in 1967 as an expansion team. The team did not have a winning season its first 20 years. In 1987, the team won 12 of 15 games and qualified for the first time for the playoffs. From 1988 to 2005, the Saints made the playoffs only four times.
Because of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina , the Saints could not play in New Orleans during the 2005 season. The team played most of its “home” games in San Antonio, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, finishing with a 3-13 record. The next year, the Saints became the surprise team of the 2006 NFL season, winning the NFC South Division. The success of the team stirred renewed pride among New Orleans residents and became one of the major sports stories of the year. In 2010, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.
New Orleans Saints legends have included linebacker Rickey Jackson (1981-1993), quarterback Archie Manning (1971-1982), linebacker Sam Mills (1986-1994), offensive tackle Willie Roaf (1993-2001), and linebacker Pat Swilling (1986-1992). Recent stars have included quarterback Drew Brees , wide receiver Marques Colston, guard Jahri Evans, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara, and wide receiver Michael Thomas.
