Founded by John W. Mecom Jr. and David Dixon in 1967, the New Orleans Saints is the only professional sports team in Louisiana today. The team plays in the National Football Conference (NFC) South Division. The team’s colours are black and gold and the logo pays tribute to its Creole roots with a Fleur-de-lis symbol. The team played its first ever game against the Los Angeles Rams. On its very first play, the Saints scored a touchdown when Jim Gilliam returned the opening kickoff 94 yards. The Saints would end up losing the game 27-13.
The New Orleans Saints are named after All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday. New Orleans has a large Catholic population and “When the Saints Go Marching in” is an iconic song often performed during the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
For much of its history, the Saints have been a losing franchise. In 1980, the team lost its first 14 games, prompting some “fans” to where bags over their heads and the team to be nicknamed the “Aints.” The Saints failed to make the NFL playoffs until 1987; a full 20 years after its founding. They did not win a playoff game, however, until 2000, when they defeated the St. Louis Rams, 31-28.
The team’s fortunes changed on January 17, 2006, when it hired Sean Peyton as head coach. Two months later, the team signed former San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees to a six-year contract. Brees would quickly become the most successful quarterback in Saints history and would be selected to seven Pro-bowls (and counting) with the Saints. In 2011, Brees set the single-season passing yards record (at the time) with 5,476. The record was broken in 2013 by Peyton Manning, who threw for one more yard (5,477).
In 2009, the Saints achieved a record of 13 wins and three losses en route to their first and only Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints defeated the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts 31-17, in the most watched television program in modern history. Drew Brees was named Super Bowl MVP. To many, the Saints victory represented the rebirth of New Orleans after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina several years before.
Answer the following questions
1 Which of the following is not true about the New Orleans Saints?
a The Saints are one of two professional sports teams that play in Louisiana.
b The team was defeated in its first game by the Los Angeles Rams.
c The Saints’ team colours are black and gold.
d The team scored a touchdown in the very first play of its first game.
2 In its first twenty years….
a the saints were a very successful team.
b won three Super Bowls.
c were a very unsuccessful team.
d had good seasons and bad seasons.
3 What question is answered in the second paragraph?
a What team did the Saints play in the team’s first game?
b When were the Saints founded?
c What is the Mardi Gras Celebration?
d What are the Saints named after?
4 What was the “effect” of the Saints losing their first 14 games in 1980?
a The team made it to the playoffs in 1987.
b The team became nicknamed the “Aints.”
c The team went to the Super Bowl.
d The team made it to the playoff the following season.
5 What word could replace “iconic” in the sentence given below?
New Orleans has a large Catholic population and “When the Saints Go Marching in” is an iconic song often performed during the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
a important
b controversial
c true
d believable
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