The choice of a mascot name for a sports team is an important decision that can have a significant impact on the team's identity and fan base. This is particularly true for a team like the New Orleans Saints, a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The team, founded in 1967, has a strong connection to the city's culture and is deeply intertwined with the community's passion for the game. Given the significance of the team's name, it was crucial for the Saints to select a mascot name that would not only reflect their image and values but also resonate with their fans. After much deliberation and input from the community, the Saints ultimately chose the name "Gumbo" as their mascot. "Gumbo" is a name that embodies the spirit of New Orleans and its diverse cultural heritage.
"Gumbo" is a name that embodies the spirit of New Orleans and its diverse cultural heritage. Gumbo is a traditional Louisiana dish that is known for its rich and flavorful mix of ingredients, much like the city itself. The name not only pays homage to the team's connection to the region but also highlights the camaraderie and unity that the sport of football fosters among the 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."
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)
As a mascot name, "Gumbo" is both unique and memorable, instantly evoking a sense of pride and excitement among the team's supporters. It captures the essence of the team's success on the field and its representation of the city's resilience, as evident in their Super Bowl victory in 2010. The choice of "Gumbo" as the Saints' mascot name has been met with widespread approval and enthusiasm. It has become an integral part of the team's brand and fan experience, often making appearances at games and community events to rally support and create an engaging atmosphere. In conclusion, the selection of the "Gumbo" mascot name for the New Orleans Saints perfectly reflects the team's close ties to the city and its vibrant culture. It serves as a symbol of unity and celebration, bringing the community together through their shared love for football..
Reviews for "The Fan Experience: Meeting [Mascot Name] on Game Day"
- John Smith - 1 star - I cannot believe they chose the name "Saints" for their mascot. It is such a generic and overused name that lacks creativity. Plus, it doesn't even represent the spirit or uniqueness of the team. I am highly disappointed in this choice and feel that they could have done so much better.
- Emily Johnson - 2 stars - As a long-time fan of the team, I was really hoping for a more original and exciting name for their mascot. "Saints" is just so bland and uninspiring. It doesn't make me feel connected to the team or create any sense of identity. I think they missed a great opportunity to come up with something truly memorable and meaningful.
- David Thompson - 1 star - The name "Saints" for a mascot is just downright ridiculous. It's like they didn't even put any effort into thinking of something more creative. It's unoriginal and unimaginative, making it difficult to get excited about the team. I really hope they reconsider and come up with a better name that reflects the team's spirit and stands out from the crowd.
- Sarah Davis - 3 stars - While I understand the historical and religious significance behind the name "Saints," I personally find it quite cliché for a mascot. It lacks the uniqueness and flair that I was hoping for. I think they could have chosen something more original and representative of the team's personality. Overall, it's not a terrible choice, but I was expecting something more exciting.