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Where Are They Now?--- Mega Edition
Posted on 3/19/10 at 7:36 am
Posted on 3/19/10 at 7:36 am
Posting the most of the story, some of you may live around an ex-Saint and not know it- give'm a shout out.
- John Shinners the 2nd of the 1st round picks in the 1969 Draft along with draft pick DT Kevin Hardy (who went to the San Francisco 49ers in compensation for the Saints signing WR Dave Parks). In those days, free agency was light years away. Now 63 years old, Shinners lives in DePere, Wisconsin where he operates a network consulting business. The OG played for the Saints from 1969-71, then spent 1972 with the Baltimore Colts and finished his career from 1973-77 with the Bengals.
- Joe Scarparti, the former safety, will always be remembered as the man who held for Tom Dempsey on his NFL record 63-yard field goal against the Lions in 1970. Scarpati did manage one interception for the Saints in 1970, but most of his career was spent with the Philadelphia Eagles where he picked off 24 passes. The 67-year old Scarpati lives in Marlton, New Jersey where he is a real estate broker.
- Ray Rissmiller, a starter at OT in 1967, was known as the "singing Saint” due to his off the field side job. The 67-year old resides in Goose Creek, South Carolina where he serves as the General Manager for a soft drink distributor. Rissmiller spent 1967 with the Saints after arriving in the expansion draft from the Eagles, where he had spent the 1966 season. He ended his career in 1968 with the Buffalo Bills.
- Steve Preece was a safety with the Saints in 1969 as a rookie after arriving in the NFL as an undrafted free agent rookie having played QB at Oregon State.. Preece spent his rookie campaign in New Orleans before moving onto Philadelphia (1970-72) , Broncos (1972) , Rams (1973-76) , finishing with the Seahawks in 1977. He recorded 14 career interceptions. Now 63 years old, he is a real estate broker and developer in Portland, Oregon.
- Kyle Turley’s playing days have been done for a few seasons. It seems like just yesterday he was spotted tossing a New York Jets around at the Superdome, doesn't it ? Well, he's 34 years old now and retired from the NFL. After spending 1998-2002 in the Crescent City, his trail to him to the Rams from 2003-04 . His career ended with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-07. He was the 7th player overall taken and the 1st round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He is now living in Overland Park, Kansas.
- Frank Wattelet arrived with the Saints as a free agent in 1981 and stayed here until 1987. He finished his career with the Rams (1987-' 88). The 51-year old is in the investments and insurance business in Joplin, Missouri. He had 3 interceptions while with the Saints and 12 overall for his career.
- Cephus Weatherspoon, only spent one season in the Big Easy ( 1972) and did not record any stats, but Saints fans fondly recall his name and will swear he wore the black and gold for 4-5 years. It's his name.....you just couldn't forget it.He was a free agent acquisition out of Fort Lewis College and a native of Meridian , Miss.The 61 yr. old Weatherspoon owns a janitorial service in Santa Ana, Calif.
-Mike Tilleman was one of the starting defensive tackles along with Dave Rowe in the 1967 season. The man/mountain ( 6'6-285) played for the Minnesota Vikings in 1966 and was grabbed off the expansion draft list by the Saints in 1967. Tilleman stayed with New Orleans until 1970. The Oilers acquired him 1971-72. His last NFL stop was the Atlanta Falcons (1972-76). The 65 year old owns an auto dealership in Havre, Montana. He was a member of a formidable defensive wall along with Rowe and DE's Brain Schweda and Doug Atkins in the early years.
- QB Billy Kilmer lives in Springs, Florida right off of a golf. He was with Saints from 1967-70 until traded to Redskins.
- Louis Oubre (1982-84) is a starting OG along with Brad Edelman. Now he lives in Cedar Hills, Texas where he is the head football coach of a junior high team.
- Joe Federspiel, a linebacker in New Orleans from 1972-80, ended career with Colts. Joe Fed owns an insurance agency in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Wesley Walls spent 1994-95 with Saints where he still owns the record for the most catches by a TE in a season with 57. He also played for San Francisco and Carolina. Walls resides in Charlotte, North Carolina where he is a real estate developer and also owns a furniture store in Potomoc, Miss.
- Howard Stevens spent 1973-74 with the Saints; he was a 16th-round draft pick. He completed his career with Baltimore Colts. Howard is a financial planner in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Jim Otis, a FB out of Ohio State , came to Saints as a 9th-round pick (218th player taken) in 1970. Following rookie season, he went to the Chiefs for 2 years and then wound up with the Cardinals from 1973-78. In 1976, he rushed for 1,076 yards. The 61-year old is owner/partner in an integrated real estate service business in Chesterfield, Missouri.
-Jim Merlo was a 4th round pick in 1973. His entire 7-year NFL career at linebacker was spent in New Orleans. The 58-year old Merlo is a real estate broker in Fresno, Calif.
- Lee Gross, a center was the Saints as a 2nd round selection in the 1975 draft, was with the team until 1977. He rounded out his career with the Colts in 1978. The 56-year old former Auburn Tiger is president of a road striping business in Dothan, Alabama. He is 56 years old.
- ‘Wild Bill’ Cody arrived in the ' 67 expansion draft from the Detroit Lions. He was in New Orleans from 1967-70 where he was a special teams dynamo and reserve linebacker. He finished his years in the league with the Eagles. The 65-year old Cody is the manager of a Honda Dealership (Tameron Honda Eastern Shore) in Fairhope, Alabama.
- Larry Burton was the Saints 1st round pick in 1975 as the 7th player overall taken in the draft after a career at Purdue that included track and football. He spent 1975-77 with the Saints and 1978-79 with the Chargers. He never recorded more than 18 catches in any one season. His 3-year stay produced 35 grabs for 615 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Saints. The 58-year old is a program coordinator for Father Flannigan's Boys Town in San Margarita, Calif.
-Mike Buck was a 6th round pick out of Maine for New Orleans in 1990. His 4-years with the Saints (1990-93) produced 519 yards, 4 TD passes and 4 interceptions as a backup signal caller. He was with the Cardinals in 1995. The 42-year old is a real estate auctioneer in Destin, Florida.
- Charlie Brown, a RB and kick returner, was the teams' 10th round choice (238th player chosen) in the 1967 draft. The Saints drafted 38 players in their inaugural season. They had multiple picks in each round with 3 selections in several rounds including rounds2, 3, 4, 11 and 17. Imagine what you could do with that many picks today. Or what your rookie salary cap would look like.
Brown played collegiately at Missouri. He spent 2 season with the Saints as a return specialist taking one punt backfor a touchdown in 1968. He was also a part time RB. The 64-year old Brown is the school superintendent of the Wellston School District in St. Louis, Missouri.
- John Shinners the 2nd of the 1st round picks in the 1969 Draft along with draft pick DT Kevin Hardy (who went to the San Francisco 49ers in compensation for the Saints signing WR Dave Parks). In those days, free agency was light years away. Now 63 years old, Shinners lives in DePere, Wisconsin where he operates a network consulting business. The OG played for the Saints from 1969-71, then spent 1972 with the Baltimore Colts and finished his career from 1973-77 with the Bengals.
- Joe Scarparti, the former safety, will always be remembered as the man who held for Tom Dempsey on his NFL record 63-yard field goal against the Lions in 1970. Scarpati did manage one interception for the Saints in 1970, but most of his career was spent with the Philadelphia Eagles where he picked off 24 passes. The 67-year old Scarpati lives in Marlton, New Jersey where he is a real estate broker.
- Ray Rissmiller, a starter at OT in 1967, was known as the "singing Saint” due to his off the field side job. The 67-year old resides in Goose Creek, South Carolina where he serves as the General Manager for a soft drink distributor. Rissmiller spent 1967 with the Saints after arriving in the expansion draft from the Eagles, where he had spent the 1966 season. He ended his career in 1968 with the Buffalo Bills.
- Steve Preece was a safety with the Saints in 1969 as a rookie after arriving in the NFL as an undrafted free agent rookie having played QB at Oregon State.. Preece spent his rookie campaign in New Orleans before moving onto Philadelphia (1970-72) , Broncos (1972) , Rams (1973-76) , finishing with the Seahawks in 1977. He recorded 14 career interceptions. Now 63 years old, he is a real estate broker and developer in Portland, Oregon.
- Kyle Turley’s playing days have been done for a few seasons. It seems like just yesterday he was spotted tossing a New York Jets around at the Superdome, doesn't it ? Well, he's 34 years old now and retired from the NFL. After spending 1998-2002 in the Crescent City, his trail to him to the Rams from 2003-04 . His career ended with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-07. He was the 7th player overall taken and the 1st round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He is now living in Overland Park, Kansas.
- Frank Wattelet arrived with the Saints as a free agent in 1981 and stayed here until 1987. He finished his career with the Rams (1987-' 88). The 51-year old is in the investments and insurance business in Joplin, Missouri. He had 3 interceptions while with the Saints and 12 overall for his career.
- Cephus Weatherspoon, only spent one season in the Big Easy ( 1972) and did not record any stats, but Saints fans fondly recall his name and will swear he wore the black and gold for 4-5 years. It's his name.....you just couldn't forget it.He was a free agent acquisition out of Fort Lewis College and a native of Meridian , Miss.The 61 yr. old Weatherspoon owns a janitorial service in Santa Ana, Calif.
-Mike Tilleman was one of the starting defensive tackles along with Dave Rowe in the 1967 season. The man/mountain ( 6'6-285) played for the Minnesota Vikings in 1966 and was grabbed off the expansion draft list by the Saints in 1967. Tilleman stayed with New Orleans until 1970. The Oilers acquired him 1971-72. His last NFL stop was the Atlanta Falcons (1972-76). The 65 year old owns an auto dealership in Havre, Montana. He was a member of a formidable defensive wall along with Rowe and DE's Brain Schweda and Doug Atkins in the early years.
- QB Billy Kilmer lives in Springs, Florida right off of a golf. He was with Saints from 1967-70 until traded to Redskins.
- Louis Oubre (1982-84) is a starting OG along with Brad Edelman. Now he lives in Cedar Hills, Texas where he is the head football coach of a junior high team.
- Joe Federspiel, a linebacker in New Orleans from 1972-80, ended career with Colts. Joe Fed owns an insurance agency in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Wesley Walls spent 1994-95 with Saints where he still owns the record for the most catches by a TE in a season with 57. He also played for San Francisco and Carolina. Walls resides in Charlotte, North Carolina where he is a real estate developer and also owns a furniture store in Potomoc, Miss.
- Howard Stevens spent 1973-74 with the Saints; he was a 16th-round draft pick. He completed his career with Baltimore Colts. Howard is a financial planner in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Jim Otis, a FB out of Ohio State , came to Saints as a 9th-round pick (218th player taken) in 1970. Following rookie season, he went to the Chiefs for 2 years and then wound up with the Cardinals from 1973-78. In 1976, he rushed for 1,076 yards. The 61-year old is owner/partner in an integrated real estate service business in Chesterfield, Missouri.
-Jim Merlo was a 4th round pick in 1973. His entire 7-year NFL career at linebacker was spent in New Orleans. The 58-year old Merlo is a real estate broker in Fresno, Calif.
- Lee Gross, a center was the Saints as a 2nd round selection in the 1975 draft, was with the team until 1977. He rounded out his career with the Colts in 1978. The 56-year old former Auburn Tiger is president of a road striping business in Dothan, Alabama. He is 56 years old.
- ‘Wild Bill’ Cody arrived in the ' 67 expansion draft from the Detroit Lions. He was in New Orleans from 1967-70 where he was a special teams dynamo and reserve linebacker. He finished his years in the league with the Eagles. The 65-year old Cody is the manager of a Honda Dealership (Tameron Honda Eastern Shore) in Fairhope, Alabama.
- Larry Burton was the Saints 1st round pick in 1975 as the 7th player overall taken in the draft after a career at Purdue that included track and football. He spent 1975-77 with the Saints and 1978-79 with the Chargers. He never recorded more than 18 catches in any one season. His 3-year stay produced 35 grabs for 615 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Saints. The 58-year old is a program coordinator for Father Flannigan's Boys Town in San Margarita, Calif.
-Mike Buck was a 6th round pick out of Maine for New Orleans in 1990. His 4-years with the Saints (1990-93) produced 519 yards, 4 TD passes and 4 interceptions as a backup signal caller. He was with the Cardinals in 1995. The 42-year old is a real estate auctioneer in Destin, Florida.
- Charlie Brown, a RB and kick returner, was the teams' 10th round choice (238th player chosen) in the 1967 draft. The Saints drafted 38 players in their inaugural season. They had multiple picks in each round with 3 selections in several rounds including rounds2, 3, 4, 11 and 17. Imagine what you could do with that many picks today. Or what your rookie salary cap would look like.
Brown played collegiately at Missouri. He spent 2 season with the Saints as a return specialist taking one punt backfor a touchdown in 1968. He was also a part time RB. The 64-year old Brown is the school superintendent of the Wellston School District in St. Louis, Missouri.
This post was edited on 3/19/10 at 7:38 am
2
Posted on 3/19/10 at 7:37 am to blueslover
Unfortunately, some of the former Saints players are no longer with us. I can only imagine what kind of Who Dat team there must be behind the pearly gates.
When some of these players passed on, a little bit of all of us went with them as Saints fans:
- Sam Mills…1986-94, later with Carolina. The epitome of class, Sam passed away April 18, 2005.
- Hank Stram coached team from 1976- '77, Died July 5, 2005
- Tony Fritsch, a PK in 1982, died Sept. 13, 2005
- Monte Stickles, a TE with Saints 1968 where he had 15 catches for 206 yards and 2 scores from QB Billy Kilmer, died on Sept. 12, 2006.
- Jim Hester, a TE from 1967-69 who had 19 catches and 2 touchdowns, assed away 2002.
- Dave McCormick, a OT from 1967-68, passed away 1989. He was also a former LSU Tiger star.
- QB Karl Sweetan spent 1968 with Saints. While with Lions, he completed a 99-yard touchdown pass. Died 2001.
- TE Ray Poage, 1967-70 with Saints, had 58 catches, 793 yards, 5 TD's including 24 catches for 380 yards in 1967. Passed away 2002.
- Joe Don Looney, a RB only 3 carries for 5 yards in only season (1969) died in 1988.
- Sam Adams, a OG with Saints in 1981. Died 2000.
- PK John Leypoldt spent 1978 with Saints and passed away 1983.
- QB Jim Ninowski (1969) spent most of career with Browns with a total of 12 NFL seasons. Died 1998.
-Fred Whittingham, a LB with Saints 1967-68. Died 2002.
- Remi Prudhome (1971-72) was also former LSU o-lineman. Died 1983.
- Earl Leggett, a DT in 1967-68. Died 2001. Former LSU star.
- Glen Redd, a LB from 1981 and 1983-86. Died 2008.
- Wimp Hewgley, offensive line coach from 1974-75. Died April 12, 2005.
- Mike Morgan LB from 1969- '70.
- Al Dodd, a WR from 1969-71
-Gary Wood, QB 1967.
- Richard Neal, DE and 2nd round pick out of Southern U. in 1969 was with Saints 1969-72 and 1978. Also with Cardinals.
- Tony Baker, a RB from 1968-71.
- Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward, former 1st round pick at RB, was with the Saints from 1988-92. Died May 27, 2006 from complications from a brain tumor.
- Del Williams, an OG from 1967-72.
- Joe Wendryhoski, the center was the team's first offensive team captain from 1967-68.
- Dave Whitsell, a def. back. led entire league with 10 interceptions in 1967. Left New Orleans in 1969. He was also with the Chicago Bears earlier in career and helped win an NFL title 1963.
- Dave Waymer, defensive back from 1980-89.
- Bivian Lee, def. back from 1971-75, had 9 career interceptions with Saints.
-Ray Hester, LB, was a former Holy Cross and Tulane star (1971-73).
- Hugo Hollas, def. back from 1970-72 was known for occupying jersey #18 when Archie Manning arrived. That’s how #8 became famous here.
-Tom Barrington, a RB from 1967-70, was also with the Redskins in 1966. With the Saints, he had 493 yds. Rushing and 3 TD's plus 39 catches, 255 yds and 1 TD. Tom led the team in KR in 1969 with a 23.3 yard average.
- Rusty Chambers, LB, 1975- '76, Died in auto accident. Former Tulane star.
- Kenny Duckett, WR from 4 seasons (1982- '85) spent 1985 with Dallas. He had 34 catches for 503 yds. and 4 TD's in New Orleans.
- Tony Elliott, DT 1982-88.
- Odell Lawson, RB 1973-74.
- Don Reese, DE 1978- 80.
- Steve Stonebreaker, LB and ‘Enforcer’ with Saints from 1967-68.
- Errol Linden , OT and native New Orleanian with team 1969-70.
- Frank Warren, DT from 1981-94.
- Ernie Wheelwright, RB from 1967-70.
- Royce Smith, OG and 1st round pick (8th player chosen out of Georgia) 1972-73. He played with Falcons 1974-76. Died 2002.
- LB Kevin Mitchell, LB from 1998-99. Died 2007.
- Bob Young, OG 1981. One of strongest players in NFL at the time. Died 1993.
- Randy Schultz, RB, had 269 yards in 1968 for Saints. Played 1967-68. Died 1984.
- Elijah Pitts, RB in 1970, enjoyed successful career with Packers earlier. Died 1992.
- Dave Simmons, LB Saints 1967, died 1985.
- Obert Logan, safety known as "little O" wore #0. With Saints 1967 and later Cowboys. Had 8 career picks, 3 with Saints.
Other head coaches passed away…Tom Fears, first head coach 1967-70; Ernie Hefferle, offensive line coach and interim head coach in 1975; Dick Nolan head coach 1977-80.
LINK
When some of these players passed on, a little bit of all of us went with them as Saints fans:
- Sam Mills…1986-94, later with Carolina. The epitome of class, Sam passed away April 18, 2005.
- Hank Stram coached team from 1976- '77, Died July 5, 2005
- Tony Fritsch, a PK in 1982, died Sept. 13, 2005
- Monte Stickles, a TE with Saints 1968 where he had 15 catches for 206 yards and 2 scores from QB Billy Kilmer, died on Sept. 12, 2006.
- Jim Hester, a TE from 1967-69 who had 19 catches and 2 touchdowns, assed away 2002.
- Dave McCormick, a OT from 1967-68, passed away 1989. He was also a former LSU Tiger star.
- QB Karl Sweetan spent 1968 with Saints. While with Lions, he completed a 99-yard touchdown pass. Died 2001.
- TE Ray Poage, 1967-70 with Saints, had 58 catches, 793 yards, 5 TD's including 24 catches for 380 yards in 1967. Passed away 2002.
- Joe Don Looney, a RB only 3 carries for 5 yards in only season (1969) died in 1988.
- Sam Adams, a OG with Saints in 1981. Died 2000.
- PK John Leypoldt spent 1978 with Saints and passed away 1983.
- QB Jim Ninowski (1969) spent most of career with Browns with a total of 12 NFL seasons. Died 1998.
-Fred Whittingham, a LB with Saints 1967-68. Died 2002.
- Remi Prudhome (1971-72) was also former LSU o-lineman. Died 1983.
- Earl Leggett, a DT in 1967-68. Died 2001. Former LSU star.
- Glen Redd, a LB from 1981 and 1983-86. Died 2008.
- Wimp Hewgley, offensive line coach from 1974-75. Died April 12, 2005.
- Mike Morgan LB from 1969- '70.
- Al Dodd, a WR from 1969-71
-Gary Wood, QB 1967.
- Richard Neal, DE and 2nd round pick out of Southern U. in 1969 was with Saints 1969-72 and 1978. Also with Cardinals.
- Tony Baker, a RB from 1968-71.
- Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward, former 1st round pick at RB, was with the Saints from 1988-92. Died May 27, 2006 from complications from a brain tumor.
- Del Williams, an OG from 1967-72.
- Joe Wendryhoski, the center was the team's first offensive team captain from 1967-68.
- Dave Whitsell, a def. back. led entire league with 10 interceptions in 1967. Left New Orleans in 1969. He was also with the Chicago Bears earlier in career and helped win an NFL title 1963.
- Dave Waymer, defensive back from 1980-89.
- Bivian Lee, def. back from 1971-75, had 9 career interceptions with Saints.
-Ray Hester, LB, was a former Holy Cross and Tulane star (1971-73).
- Hugo Hollas, def. back from 1970-72 was known for occupying jersey #18 when Archie Manning arrived. That’s how #8 became famous here.
-Tom Barrington, a RB from 1967-70, was also with the Redskins in 1966. With the Saints, he had 493 yds. Rushing and 3 TD's plus 39 catches, 255 yds and 1 TD. Tom led the team in KR in 1969 with a 23.3 yard average.
- Rusty Chambers, LB, 1975- '76, Died in auto accident. Former Tulane star.
- Kenny Duckett, WR from 4 seasons (1982- '85) spent 1985 with Dallas. He had 34 catches for 503 yds. and 4 TD's in New Orleans.
- Tony Elliott, DT 1982-88.
- Odell Lawson, RB 1973-74.
- Don Reese, DE 1978- 80.
- Steve Stonebreaker, LB and ‘Enforcer’ with Saints from 1967-68.
- Errol Linden , OT and native New Orleanian with team 1969-70.
- Frank Warren, DT from 1981-94.
- Ernie Wheelwright, RB from 1967-70.
- Royce Smith, OG and 1st round pick (8th player chosen out of Georgia) 1972-73. He played with Falcons 1974-76. Died 2002.
- LB Kevin Mitchell, LB from 1998-99. Died 2007.
- Bob Young, OG 1981. One of strongest players in NFL at the time. Died 1993.
- Randy Schultz, RB, had 269 yards in 1968 for Saints. Played 1967-68. Died 1984.
- Elijah Pitts, RB in 1970, enjoyed successful career with Packers earlier. Died 1992.
- Dave Simmons, LB Saints 1967, died 1985.
- Obert Logan, safety known as "little O" wore #0. With Saints 1967 and later Cowboys. Had 8 career picks, 3 with Saints.
Other head coaches passed away…Tom Fears, first head coach 1967-70; Ernie Hefferle, offensive line coach and interim head coach in 1975; Dick Nolan head coach 1977-80.
LINK
Posted on 3/19/10 at 5:48 pm to blueslover
Have you ever come across anything about former Defensive back, Georgia star Terry Hoague?...just wondering.....thanx... 
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