What is the most memorable play in New Orleans Saints history?

Well, for Saints fans, because it happened more recently, and because it helped clinch a Super Bowl win, it may very well be Tracy Porter's interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl 44:

 

You certainly can't go wrong with that one.

And how about John Gilliam's kickoff return for a touchdown, on the very first regular season play in franchise history back in 1967?!?!?

Hard to beat that one, in terms of exciting starts!

My choice is going to be different, however.

I'm going to go with Tom Dempsey's 63-yard field goal, because I still think that from a national standpoint, it's what jumps to the front of people's minds.

The field goal took place back on November 8, 1970, as the Saints defeated the Detroit Lions, 19-17, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Saints won that game, thanks to that then NFL record 63-yard field goal by Dempsey, as time expired.

The Lions took the lead at the :11 mark when Errol Mann booted home an 18-yard field goal. making it 17-16.

New Orleans then returned the ensuing kick-off to their own 28-yard line, with only :08 remaining.

The Saints, with time for only one play to get them into possible field range, were able to move the ball to their own 45-yard line, as quarterback Billy Kilmer hit Al Dodd with a 17-yard pass.

That was when Saints’ head coach J.D. Roberts, in his first game as coach since replacing J.D. Roberts, sent Dempsey in to attempt a 63-yard field goal.

Now, in 1970, the goal posts in the NFL were on the goal lines instead of the end lines, so Joe Scarpati, who was holding for Dempsey, placed the ball down at the New Orleans 37-yard line with :02 left.

Dempsey made the kick, with a couple of feet to spare, breaking the old NFL record of 56 yards set in 1953 by Colts’ kicker Bert Rechichar.

Matt Prather broke that record, with a 64-yard field goal back in 2013.

Unfortunately for the Saints, it was the last game they would win that year, as they finished the season at 2-11-1, but it was a moment that fans will forever remember:

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