As the New Orleans Saints head to training camp in just two weeks, 61 days remain until the team kicks off their regular season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Saints enter their 59th year of NFL existence, but do so under a new head coach in Kellen Moore and coming off a 5-12 record last year. Plenty of new faces litter the roster, but none of whom wearing the number 61 currently.
Here's a look back at all the New Orleans players that have worn that number in the history of the franchise.
Saints History of 61
Nov 3, 1991; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints center Joel Hilgenberg (61) blocks for quarterback Steve Walsh (4) against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 3, 1991; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints center Joel Hilgenberg (61) blocks for quarterback Steve Walsh (4) against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
• Del Williams, G (1967-73)
• Roger Finnie, OT (1979)
• Sam Adams, G (1981)
• Joel Hilgenberg, C (1984-93)
• Greg Loberg, G (1987)
• Ed King, G (1995-97)
• Montrae Holland, G (2003-06)
• Josh LeRibeus, G (2017-18)
• Connor McGovern, C (2024)
New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Del Williams (61) blocks for quarterback Billy Kilmer (17) against the Cincinnati Bengals. Credit: nasljerseys.com
New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Del Williams (61) blocks for quarterback Billy Kilmer (17) against the Cincinnati Bengals. Credit: nasljerseys.com
A third round choice (79th overall) in the Saints inaugural draft of 1967, Del Williams was the first to don 61 for the franchise. Williams was with New Orleans for all of his 7-year career. He appeared in 92 games while making 87 starts.
Williams remains the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear 61. He is also the second longest-tenured player to wear the number.
After Williams, there wasn't another Saint to wear 61 until 1979. That was Roger Finnie, who did it for eight games in his only season. Sam Adams followed two years later, starting every game in 1981 but retiring after that season.
New Orleans Saints center Joel Hilgenberg (61) snaps to quarterback Bobby Hebert (3) against the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: neworleanssaints.com
New Orleans Saints center Joel Hilgenberg (61) snaps to quarterback Bobby Hebert (3) against the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: neworleanssaints.com
Joel Hilgenberg came along in 1984 as a fourth round draft choice from the Iowa Hawkeyes. Hilgenberg played his entire 10-year career with the Saints and was even joining by his brother Jay in New Orleans in 1993. That would be the final NFL season for both Hilgenberg brothers.
Joel Hilgenberg appeared in 142 games with 97 starts for the Saints. It is the most by any player to wear #61 for the team. An underrated center throughout his career, he was voted to his only Pro Bowl in 1992 and in 2005 was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.
Ed King arrived to New Orleans two years after Hilgenberg retired. King was a Saint for three years. He appeared in 19 games, with 16 of those starts coming during the 1996 campaign.
Aug 20, 2017; New Orleans Saints offensive guard Josh LeRibeus (61) blocks Los Angeles Chargers nose tackle Brandon Mebane (92). Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Aug 20, 2017; New Orleans Saints offensive guard Josh LeRibeus (61) blocks Los Angeles Chargers nose tackle Brandon Mebane (92). Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Montrae Holland was a fourth round choice by the Saints in the 2003 NFL Draft from the Florida State Seminoles. Holland was with New Orleans for four years. Over that span of time, he appeared in 52 games while making 30 starts.
It took 13 years for another Saint to wear 61 after Holland left. Josh LeRibeus did it for 22 games as a reserve over two years. Connor McGovern was the last New Orleans player to wear 61, doing so for five starts over six games during the 2024 season.