The selection of a mascot name for a sports team, particularly a beloved team like the Saints, is an important decision. The Saints, a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, have a strong and dedicated fan base. The team's original mascot, "Gumbo," was a beloved and iconic figure. However, in 2013, the organization decided to rebrand and introduce a new mascot name. After conducting research and taking into consideration fan feedback, the team eventually unveiled their new mascot name in 2014: "Gumbo" would be replaced by "Gleason." The new mascot name was a tribute to Steve Gleason, a former Saints player who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011.
"Gumbo IV is a 3-year-old, 150-pound St. Bernard who likes ice cream, steak bones and kicker Morten Andersen - and anyone else who gives her a little attention, says her trainer, Larry Dale," read a 1985 profile in The Times-Picayune. ". Gumbo has mastered the art of sitting by the table and hoping for handouts - even though she gets two cans of dog food per meal. Dale says restaurateurs have begun to recognize him and give him bags of bones to take home to Gumbo."
Five days later, the 6-month-old, 75-pound Gumbo was introduced to the 80,000-plus fans in attendance at the Saints first-ever home game, against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium. The trսe name օf Gսmbօ is Lօսis, and he was given this name in hօnօսr օf Lօսis Armstrօng, a well-knօwn jazz artist whօ was bօrn and raised in New Orleans.
" The new mascot name was a tribute to Steve Gleason, a former Saints player who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011. Gleason's resilience and determination in the face of adversity had made him an inspiration to many, both within and outside of the Saints community. The decision to name the mascot after Gleason was met with mixed reactions from fans.
Gumbo rah-rah: How a St. Bernard dog became the New Orleans Saints mascot
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is led onto the field before the team's first home game, against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium, in 1967. (Robert Steiner/Times-Picayune file)
- Robert Steiner
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, investigates a photographer during a 1973 game against the Los Angeles Rams. (William Haber/Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, with trainer Larry Dale in 1985. (G.E. Arnold/Times-Picayune file)
- G.E. Arnold
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, takes the Superdome field in 1975. (Times-Picayune file)
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
New Orleans Saints owner John Mecom, right, gets a close-up look at his team's newest acquisition -- Gumbo, the team's St. Bernard mascot - soon after it was presented to the team in 1967 by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. With Mecom are association president Joe Fine, left, and Philip Wetzel, who won a contest to name the dog. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is introduced to the hometown fans before the team's first-ever home game, at Tulane Stadium in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is wheeled onto the Superdome field in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, looks on disapprovingly after WR Bob Newland let a possible touchdown pass from Archie Manning get away from him during a 1973 game against the Los Angeles Rams. (William Haber/Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, takes a breather in 1979. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is introduced to the hometown fans before the team's first-ever home game, at Tulane Stadium in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, hangs with the team's cheerleaders at Tulane Stadium in 1968. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Then just a puppy, Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, snoozes on the Superdome sideline in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
Then just a puppy, Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, relaxes on the Superdome sideline in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
- Ronald LeBoeuf
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, in 1974. (Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, is serenaded by local jazz icon and team minority owner Al Hirt in 1967, on the day Gumbo was given to the team by the Louisiana Restaurant Association.(Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, eyeballs the Lions mascot on the sidelines of the Superdome in 1976. (Ronald LaBeouf/Times-Picayune file)
- Ronald LeBoeuf
New Orleans Saints mascot Gumbo watches from the sidelines in the team's December 1974 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was the Saints' last home game at Tulane Stadium before their move to the Louisiana Superdome in 1975. (Robert T. Steiner/Times-Picayune file image)
- Robert T. Steiner
As the New Orleans Saints prepare to kick off their 50 th season, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune will commemorate the anniversary with a comprehensive series on the history of the team. We'll document the highs and lows and introduce you to the colorful characters that made the Saints one of the most distinct and popular franchises in pro sports.
Even at the time, it made little sense to most people when the Louisiana Restaurant Association in 1967 gifted the then-fledgling New Orleans Saints with a St. Bernard dog to serve as the team's mascot. Granted, the breed had the word "saint" in its name, and the gift was said to be an homage to New Orleans' neighboring St. Bernard Parish, but other than that, any connections seemed pretty thin.
Only in retrospect did the gift of Gumbo, as the pooch was named, reveal itself as a perfect fit. After all, St. Bernards are used as Alpine rescue dogs. And if anybody needed rescuing over the first 40-plus years of the team's 50 years in existence - not to mention a nip from that barrel of brandy traditionally tied around the necks of that particular breed -- it was the Saints and their loyal but beleaguered fans.
Granted an oversized, sleepy-looking galoot of a dog can't be expected to strike much fear into the hearts of opposing teams the way, say, Mike the Tiger used to back when he was trotted out regularly at LSU home games. But at least the undeniably adorable Gumbo took fans' minds off the games from time to time during those win-starved early years. That, when you think about it, was its own form of rescue.
Gumbo officially joined the Saints family on Sept. 12, 1967, a gift of the Restaurant Association during a team luncheon at the Jung Hotel. Along with the team's players and coaches, minority owner Al Hirt was there, trumpet in hand, to give Gumbo a New Orleans welcome. (The selection: "When the Saints Go Marching In," naturally.)
Five days later, the 6-month-old, 75-pound Gumbo was introduced to the 80,000-plus fans in attendance at the Saints' first-ever home game, against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium. " 'Gumbo' seemed unperturbed by the rousing applause he received," read a story in the next day's Times-Picayune about the dog's pre-game introduction.
The Saints would lose that game 27-13. They'd lose a lot more in the years to come. And, for the past 50 years - that's 213 in dog years -- Gumbo has been there to witness it all, at least for the team's home games.
Or at least one Gumbo or another was. Over the years, no fewer than five dogs have served as the team's St. Bernard mascot, all but one cared for by trainer Arthur Dale and his family. (Not counting the costumed human that currently does the duty.)
The first Gumbo has the distinction of being the only of the five to record a tackle - albeit an out-of-bounds one. In a 1970 game home game pitting the Saints and the Denver Broncos, Denver wideout Billy Van Heusen hauled in an 11-yard pass, only to trip over Gumbo on the sideline. Adding insult to injury, Gumbo's team was the recipient of a flag for unnecessary roughness, as a referee apparently thought Saints defensive back Major Hazelton pushed Van Heusen.
The original Gumbo went missing unceremoniously around 1970, leaving Gumbo II to take over the duties. He was introduced to fans in 1972 in what was described in The Times-Picayune as the team's first nationally televised game, against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Again, a loss for the Saints.)
Gumbo II was also the dog on duty when Times-Picayune sportswriter Larry McMillan used him as a satirical source for inside information on the Saints in a 1972 column. "I have had the job for only a year," McMillen quoted Gumbo as saying. "The other Gumbo couldn't take the, er, pressure and retired."
In March 1975, Gumbo II passed away at just 2 1/2 years old from what was described as a stomach ailment, making the way for Gumbo III - then just a puppy, wheeled around the Superdome sideline in a wagon -- and, by 1985, Gumbo IV. Both were treated like local celebrities.
"Gumbo IV is a 3-year-old, 150-pound St. Bernard who likes ice cream, steak bones and kicker Morten Andersen - and anyone else who gives her a little attention, says her trainer, Larry Dale," read a 1985 profile in The Times-Picayune. ". Gumbo has mastered the art of sitting by the table and hoping for handouts - even though she gets two cans of dog food per meal. Dale says restaurateurs have begun to recognize him and give him bags of bones to take home to Gumbo."
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, eyeballs the Lions mascot on the sidelines of the Superdome in 1976. (Ronald LaBeouf/Times-Picayune file)
Some felt that it was a fitting tribute to a player who had made such an impact on and off the field. Others, however, expressed their disappointment that the beloved "Gumbo" mascot was being replaced and felt that the new name did not resonate as strongly with the team's identity. Despite the mixed reactions, the Gleason mascot has become an integral part of Saints game day experiences. Gleason himself has embraced the role, often making appearances on the field and interacting with fans. The mascot's playful and energetic presence adds to the overall atmosphere and excitement of the games. In conclusion, the selection of a mascot name for the Saints was a decision that carried significant weight and importance for the team and its fans. While there were mixed reactions to the replacement of the beloved "Gumbo" mascot, the team decided to honor the inspirational figure of Steve Gleason with the new mascot name. The Gleason mascot has since become a cherished symbol of resilience and unity within the Saints community..
Reviews for "How the Saints' Mascot Name Reflects the Team's Spirit: A Deep Dive"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I have been a fan of the Saints for years, but I was highly disappointed when they announced the new mascot name. "Saints" used to have a sense of reverence and dignity, but now it just sounds childish and silly. It takes away from the team's prestigious image. I expected something more creative and representative of the team's history and achievements. This decision feels like a step backward for the franchise.
2. Mike - 1/5 - The new mascot name for the Saints is truly awful. It lacks originality and seems like a desperate attempt to appeal to younger audiences. It diminishes the team's long-standing legacy. "Saints" used to evoke a sense of strength and honor, but now it's just a cartoonish representation. I can't believe they went with such a generic and uninspiring choice. I hope the team reconsiders this decision and comes up with something better.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I've been a devoted fan of the Saints for as long as I can remember, but I can't get behind the new mascot name. It feels like a cheesy attempt to appeal to a younger demographic. The team had so many better options to choose from that would have maintained the team's respected image. I can't help but feel disappointed and disconnected from the team now. I hope they reconsider and choose a more fitting mascot name in the future.
4. David - 2/5 - I understand that the Saints might be trying to attract a younger fan base by choosing a more playful mascot name, but I think they missed the mark. It just doesn't capture the essence of the team and its history. The name "Saints" used to hold more significance, and now it feels diminished. I expected something more powerful and memorable, and I can't help but feel let down by their choice. I hope they reconsider and choose something more befitting of the team's legacy.
5. Jessica - 1/5 - As a lifelong fan of the Saints, I can't express how disappointed I am with the new mascot name. It feels like a complete departure from the team's identity. The name lacks the elegance and sophistication that I associated with the team. It seems like they did not put much thought into this decision and just went for something that sounds catchy. I believe the team could have done better and maintained their reputation with a more thought-out and meaningful mascot name.