Countdown to New Orleans Saints Kickoff: A History of No. 20

The New Orleans Saints sit just 20 days away from the start of their 2017 season. The Saints will start one day later than most of the league, opening on a Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Canal Street Chronicles picks up our countdown to kickoff series today, by looking at some of the Saints players that have worn the No. 20.

Delles Howell (CB, 1970-1972)

Howell was a 4th round pick for the Saints from Grambling in 1970. He started 10 games his rookie season, intercepting 3 passes. His 5 interceptions in 1971 tied for the team lead, and led the Saints in interception return yardage. He departed New Orleans after 10 starts and an interception in 1972, playing his final three seasons with the New York Jets.

Eric Felton (CB, 1978-1979)

Felton came to New Orleans as a 5th round draft choice in 1978. He played in all 16 games during his rookie season, starting 2 and intercepting his first career pass. He started 10 games at cornerback his 2nd year, and his 4 interceptions ranked second on the team. Felton joined the New York Giants in 1980, his final year in the league.

Russell Gary (S, 1981-1986)

Gary was selected in the 2nd round by New Orleans in the 1981 draft. He started 53 out of 57 games for the Saints between 1981-'84, intercepting 6 passes, with 3 fumble recoveries and 3 sacks during that time. Gary left New Orleans ten games into 1986, joining the Philadelphia Eagles, where he remained until the end of his career in 1987.

Jay Bellamy (S, 2001-2007)

Bellamy signed a free agent contract with the Saints in 2001, after spending his first 7 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He started every game during his first four seasons with the Saints, continuing a streak started in Seattle where he would start 112 consecutive games in seven years. He had 3 interceptions in three straight seasons from 2001-03, and finished first or second on the team in tackles for 4 consecutive seasons. Bellamy's playing time diminished over his final three years with the Saints, and saw action in just 3 games before his retirement in 2007.

Second-year cornerback Ken Crawley enters 2017 wearing No. 20 after swapping from No. 46. He’ll look to make his mark for a secondary that needs as much help as they can get.

Other Saints players to wear No. 20: George Youngblood (1967-68), Ray Jones (1973), Jon Sutton (1987), Othello Henderson (1994), Derek Brown (1995-96), Earl Little (1998), Terry Allen (2000), Randall Gay (2008-10), Isa Abdul-Quddus (2011), A.J. Davis (2012-14), Brian Dixon (2014-16)