lukeloffredo
June 18, 2024 5:55 am CT
Slowly but surely we are chipping away. Our countdown to the start of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season resumes with Day 82, meaning that we’ll be taking a look at each player that has had the privilege of suiting up with this number in a Saints uniform.
No. 82 isn’t one of the more iconic numbers in team history but a player that had not only cemented himself in the Saints locker room but within the New Orleans community, is none other than tight end Ben Watson. The 15-year pro spent the early portion of his career with the New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls during his time there. After a short stint with Cleveland from 2010-2012, Watson signed with the Saints on a three-year deal in 2013. Starting a bit slow in his first couple of seasons as the blocking tight end next to Jimmy Graham, Watson hit career-highs in 2015 with Drew Brees at the helm, catching 74 passes for 825 yards and 6 touchdowns on the year. Watson finished off his career with a stop in Baltimore while also circling back to both New Orleans as well as New England on his way out the door. Statistically, Watson finished with 547 catches, 6,058 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns.
But Watson isn’t the only player to wear No. 82 for the Saints. Here’s the full list:
Johnny Brewer (1968-70)
Sep 15, 1963; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown (32) follows the block of Johnny Brewer on Washington Redskins linebacker Rod Breedlove (63) at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Pollard (1971-77)
Sep 22, 1974; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back John Cappelletti (22) carries the ball around New Orleans Saints defensive end Bob Pollard (82) at the Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Saints 24-0. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Ike Harris (1978-81)
Mar 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of New Orleans Saints helmet at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Gottschalk (1987)
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet and glove during pregame against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Ken O'Neal (1987)
Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet on the bench in the second half of their game against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Patriots won, 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
John Tice (1983-92)
Oct 13, 1985; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints tight end John Tice (82) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports
Irv Smith (1993-97)
29 Oct 1995: Wide receiver Irv Smith of the New Orleans Saints stretches during the Saints 11-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
Qadry Ismail (1998)
14 Aug 1998: Wide Receiver Qadry Ismail #82 of the New Orleans Saints gets ready for the pre-season game against the Denver Broncos at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Saints 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allspo
Eddie Kennison (1999)
3 Oct 1999: Eddie Kennison #82 of the New Orleans Saints catches the ball during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Saints 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
Andrew Glover (2000)
10 Sep 2000: Andrew Glover #82 of the New Orleans Saints avoids being tackled with the ball during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Saints defeated the Chargers 28-27.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Boo Williams (2001-04)
PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 23: Sheldon Brown #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles hits Boo Williams #82 of New Orleans Saints November 23, 2003 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Nate Lawrie (2006)
Tight end Nate lawrie of the Saints runs with a reception during action between the New Orleans Saints and the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee on August 12, 2006. New Orleans won 19-16. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Eric Johnson (2007)
Oct. 7, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end (82) Eric Johnson runs up field after making a catch in the first half against the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports
Coby Fleener (2016-17)
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ben Watson (2013-15, 2018)
Sep 23, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) reacts after their win in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Trautman (2020-22)
Jul 29, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Adam Trautman (82) works during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
