The New Orleans Saints famously introduced its iconic fleur-de-lis logo upon their inception in 1967. This distinctive logo is instantly recognizable, and brilliant in its simplicity. For as much as Who Dat Nation loves the time-honored fleur-de-lis, let us not forget that there have been many different official variations of the classic logo.
Some of these logos have been used for merchandising and some have been on the team uniform, but all have a unique place in Saints history. Each of these logos may hold special memories for you or may take you back to a specific place in time. Let's take a stroll down Who Dat memory lane.
Here's a look at the classic Saints logos of the past:
#1 The original Saints logo and was used from 1967-1999. From Kilmer, to Manning, to Hebert, a true classic.
#2 Sir Saint is a logo from the past and present. Originally used from 1967-1984, Sir Saint saw a revival in 2009 coinciding with the Saints championship season. Sir Saint is still used in promotion and merchandising today.
#3 The Saints shield logo lasted from 1967-1984. Still a fan favorite, the shield logo has also seen a minor revival in the wake of the '09 title. Most recently being featured on Elmer Chocolate "Black and Gold" Bricks. Yes, I had family send some to me.
#4 The first Louisiana state logo was used from 1985-1999. This logo appeared on the Saints uniform in both black and gold during the late 80's. This logo was refreshed in 2000.
Here's a look at the modern Saints logos of the present:
#5 The updated Louisiana state logo was used from 2000-2005. Although not used on the Saints uniform, this logo was featured in promotion and merchandising.
#6 The state logo received a subtle but impactful update in 2006 with the simple addition of the word, Saints. This logo appeared in patch form on the Saints jersey exclusively for the '06 season. This marked the first time the state logo appeared on the Saints uniform since the 1995 season.
#7 The modern gold fleur-de-lis made its debut in 2000 featuring the lighter gold tone adopted by the franchise. This is the Saints secondary logo. The modern gold fleur logo is bolder and more compact than its predecessor. It features a white and black outline to enhance the design.
#8 The modern black fleur-de-lis is the primary logo for the Saints. It is used on the team's helmets and at midfield in the Superdome. This logo made its debut in 2000. The modern black fleur logo is bolder and more compact than its predecessor. It features a white, gold, and black outline to enhance the design.
I have an affinity for all of these designs but two stand out for me in particular. Second would be the Modern State w/Saints logo from 2006. That logo resonates with me because of what it stands for and what it was modified for. That patch, with that placement on the Saints jersey that season was both subtle and striking in its context. That particular logo told the NFL and Who Dat Nation that, despite Katrina and flirtations with San Antonio, the Saints belonged to Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. It did so proudly and defiantly. That logo spoke louder than words.
First would be the Modern Black Fleur-de-lis. It has style, class and is perfectly stated. By taking a perfect classic like the original and updating it, they took the best and made it better. This is the NFL's best logo by leaps and bounds. This black logo against the gold backdrop of the Saints helmet (or the gold Super Bowl end zone) is the perfect combination.
Who Dat Nation, we want to hear from you! Vote in our poll and tell us about your favorite Saints logos in our comments section.
Who Dat!