With only twelve days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kick off their regular season, attention turns to the players who have worn the iconic number 12 jersey. This number holds significant historical weight for the franchise, currently gracing the back of star wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave, coming off a remarkable career year, recently secured a lucrative contract extension, solidifying his role as a key offensive weapon. His tenure continues a tradition established by nine other players who have proudly sported the number 12 for the Saints. This journey through the team's past unveils the individual stories and collective impact of those who have contributed to the Saints' legacy while wearing this distinguished jersey.
The Early Chapters of Number 12: From Punter to Quarterbacks
The history of the number 12 jersey for the New Orleans Saints began with punter Tom McNeill, who holds the distinction of being the first player to wear it. Joining the team in its inaugural years, McNeill’s most notable achievement was an impressive 81-yard punt in 1969, which remains the longest in franchise history and ranks among the NFL's all-time longest. Following McNeill, quarterback Bobby Scott became the first draft pick to receive the number 12. Drafted in 1971, the same year the Saints selected Archie Manning, Scott served as Manning's backup for nine years, playing 41 games and starting 14, compiling a 4-10 record. His career statistics included 2,781 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. Subsequent, brief stints by quarterbacks Babe Laufenberg and Kevin Ingram in the mid-to-late 1980s further illustrate the early, varied journey of the number 12.
Tom McNeill inaugurated the No. 12 jersey for the Saints, serving as the team's first regular punter. He spent the franchise's initial two seasons with New Orleans, boasting a 42.3-yard average per punt. His career highlight was an 81-yard punt in 1969, an enduring franchise record and tied for the 13th longest in NFL history. Bobby Scott, selected in the 14th round of the 1971 draft, was the first player drafted by the Saints to wear No. 12. He spent his entire nine-year career as Archie Manning's backup, appearing in 41 games and starting 14, where he achieved a 4-10 record. Scott's career totals included 2,781 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, and a 47.4% completion rate. Later, quarterbacks Babe Laufenberg and Kevin Ingram briefly donned the No. 12. Laufenberg played just one game in 1986 without attempting a pass, while Ingram, a replacement player during the 1987 strike, completed one of two passes for a five-yard touchdown in two appearances. These early wearers set the stage for the jersey's future significance, showcasing a diverse range of roles and impacts.
From "Billy Joe Horrors" to Prolific Wide Receivers
The 1990s saw Billy Joe Hobert wear No. 12 during a turbulent period for Saints quarterbacks, often referred to as the "Billy Joe horrors." Hobert played 15 games over three seasons, starting 12 with a 4-8 record, accumulating 2,031 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Jake Delhomme, another quarterback associated with this era, briefly wore No. 12 in 2002, completing 8 of 10 passes for 113 yards in limited action. The number's trajectory significantly shifted with Marques Colston, a sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Colston defied expectations, becoming a starting wide receiver and one of the most productive players in Saints history. His ten seasons in New Orleans saw him break numerous franchise records, including career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, firmly establishing No. 12 as a symbol of offensive excellence.
Billy Joe Hobert's time with the Saints in the late 1990s, wearing No. 12, was marked by instability at the quarterback position. He played 15 games, starting 12, and posted a 4-8 record with 2,031 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Jake Delhomme, though primarily known for wearing No. 9, also briefly wore No. 12 in 2002, seeing limited action in four games with 113 passing yards. The narrative of the No. 12 jersey truly transformed with Marques Colston's arrival in 2006. A late-round draft pick from Hofstra, Colston quickly rose to prominence, becoming a foundational piece of the Saints' offense. Dubbed "The Quiet Storm," he amassed over 1,000 receiving yards in six seasons—a franchise record—and retired with all-time team records in receptions (711), receiving yards (9,759), and touchdowns (72). Despite never earning a Pro Bowl selection, his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2019 cemented his legacy. Following Colston, wideouts Marquez Callaway and Kenny Stills each wore No. 12 for a single season, with their most impactful contributions coming under different jersey numbers. Currently, Chris Olave carries the mantle, building on his impressive early career with 159 receptions for 2,165 yards in his first two seasons, earning him a significant contract extension. Despite a concussion-shortened 2024, Olave bounced back in 2025 with 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns, positioning him to continue the legacy of excellence associated with the No. 12 jersey.
