Three former New Orleans Saints have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 in the seniors category.
Saints legends and Saints Hall of Famers Pat Swilling, Bobby Hebert and Dave Whitsell are among the 183 nominees for the category.
Swilling was a four-time All-Pro linebacker with the Saints and played seven seasons with the Black and Gold and racked up 354 tackles, 24 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown during his 107 career games for New Orleans. His 76.5 sacks as a member of the Saints is fourth in Saints history.
Known as the Cajun Cannon, quarterback Bobby Hebert played in 78 games with 75 starts with a 49-26 record and completed 1,202-of-2,055 passes for 14,630 yards and 85 touchdowns, fourth in Saints history for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Whitsell spent the last three seasons of his NFL career with the Saints after being selected in the 1967 expansion draft, earning the team's first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection in its inaugural season after leading the NFL with 10 interceptions, two he returned for touchdowns. The cornerback recorded 19 interceptions, fifth in franchise history, with two returned for touchdowns and two fumble recoveries in 42 games with the Saints.
Only players 25 years removed from their last NFL game are eligible for the category. In the coming weeks, the Seniors Screening Committee will cut the 183 down to 50. A second committee, the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee, will work to reduce the number down more before presenting three candidates as finalists for a possible election to the Class of 2025 in late fall.
