What Is 1967 New Orleans Saints football team

Overview

The 1967 New Orleans Saints marked the beginning of professional NFL football in New Orleans, Louisiana. As an expansion team granted by the league in 1966, the Saints entered the NFL for the first time during the 1967 season, joining the Western Conference. Their debut represented a significant expansion of the league into the Deep South, bringing national attention to the region.

Under the leadership of head coach Tom Fears, the team struggled in its first year, finishing with a 3–11 record. Despite the losing season, the Saints quickly gained a passionate local fan base. The team played all home games at Tulane Stadium, a college facility with a capacity of over 80,000, which became a temporary home until the Superdome was completed.

• The 1967 Saints were established as an expansion team following NFL approval on November 1, 1966, making them the 16th franchise in the league.
• They played their first regular-season game on September 17, 1967, losing 27–13 to the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium.
• Their inaugural season record of 3 wins and 11 losses placed them 6th in the NFL Western Conference.
• Quarterback Billy Kilmer started 10 games and threw for 1,336 yards with 8 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
• The team’s first-ever victory came on October 1, 1967, when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31–24 in their second game.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 1967 season was defined by growing pains typical of an expansion team with limited veteran talent and draft depth. The Saints struggled on both offense and defense, ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple statistical categories.

• Offensive Output: The Saints scored 235 total points (16.8 per game), ranking 13th out of 16 teams in scoring.
• Defensive Struggles: They allowed 379 points (27.1 per game), the second-worst defensive performance in the NFL that year.
• Passing Game: Billy Kilmer led the team with 1,336 passing yards, completing 50.9% of his attempts.
• Running Game: Running back John Gilliam recorded 515 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, the highest on the team.
• Special Teams: Rookie Tom Dempsey joined late in the season and later became famous for his 63-yard field goal in 1970.
• Home vs. Away: The Saints went 2–5 at home and 1–6 on the road, showing slightly better performance in New Orleans.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1967 Saints to other expansion teams and league averages highlights the challenges they faced:

The Saints’ 3–11 record mirrored that of the 1966 Atlanta Falcons, another expansion team that struggled similarly. While their offense was below average, their defense was among the worst in the league. However, their early success in fan engagement and regional support laid the foundation for long-term growth, even as on-field performance lagged.

Why It Matters

The 1967 season was pivotal in establishing the Saints as a cultural and civic institution in New Orleans. Despite poor results, the team quickly became a symbol of civic pride in a city rich with musical and cultural heritage.

• The Saints were the first NFL team based in Louisiana, expanding the league’s geographic reach into the South.
• They helped popularize professional football in a region traditionally dominated by college sports.
• Their early struggles highlighted the challenges of building a competitive team from scratch via expansion draft.
• The team’s presence contributed to the eventual construction of the Saints Stadium (later the Superdome).
• Local support during the 1967 season proved that New Orleans could sustain an NFL franchise long-term.
• The Saints’ founding paved the way for future success, culminating in a Super Bowl XLIV victory in 2010.

The 1967 New Orleans Saints may not have won many games, but their impact extended far beyond the scoreboard. They planted the seeds for a franchise that would become a cornerstone of New Orleans identity.