Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 65

Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 65 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

There are 65 days that remain before the New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season. This will be the 59th NFL season for the Saints, who open the year at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

No New Orleans player currently wears number 65. The number hasn’t been worn for the Saints since the 2022 season, and not by a significant contributor since 2017. Here’s a look at all who put on 65 in the history of the franchise.

Saints History of 65 New Orleans Saints guard Chris Naeole (65). Credit: neworleanssaints.com

New Orleans Saints guard Chris Naeole (65). Credit: neworleanssaints.com

• Tom Carr, DT (1968)

• Remi Prudhomme, OG (1971-72)

• Dave Thompson, OG (1974-75)

• Jeff Hart, OT (1976)

• Oakley Dalton, DT (1977)

• Robert Woods, OT (1977-80)

• Bob Young, OG (1981)

• David Carter, C (1984-85)

• Adam Schreiber, OG (1985)

• Steve Trapilo, OG (1987-92)

• Willie Williams, OT (1994)

• Chris Naeole, OG (1997-2001)• LeCharles Bentley, C (2002-05)• Matt Tennant, C (2010-11)

• Ricky Henry, OG (2012)

• Senio Kelemete, OG (2014-17)

• Michael Ola, OT (2018)

• Caleb Benenoch, OT (2021)

• Wyatt Davis, OG (2022)

Sep 24, 1989; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Curt Jarvis (95) in action against New Orleans Saints offensive guard Steve Trapilo (65). Mandatory Credit: RVR Photots-Imagn Images

Tom Carr was the first to sport 65 for the Saints, wearing it for four games in the franchise’s second year in 1968. Prudhomme was the first offensive player to wear it, doing so for 19 games over two years as a reserve lineman.

There wasn’t a New Orleans draft pick to wear 65 until 1977, with 12th round choice Oakley Dalton from Jackson State. Dalton was with the team for only part of that year, suiting up in a game once.

Robert Woods took over 65 when he joined the Saints late in 1977. Woods remained with the team through 1980. Over those four years, he appeared in games 45 games while making 34 starts. It was the third most games for any Saints player that wore 65.

Aug 5, 2012; New Orleans Saints center Matt Tennant (65) blocks against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Three different linemen wore 65 from 1981 through 1986 until Steve Trapilo was selected in Round 4 of the 1987 NFL Draft from the Boston College Eagles. Trapilo became a mainstay at right guard for five seasons. In that time, he’d start 52 of his 57 game appearances.

Former LSU Tigers star Willie Williams came on as a promising free agent addition in 1994. Williams managed to stick around only one year, however, starting only five of his 16 games played.

In 1997, the Saints selected Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman Chris Naeole with the 10th pick of the first round. Naeole was a devastating run blocker who’d go on to have an 11-year NFL career, including his first five seasons in New Orleans.

Former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley (65). Credit: neworleanssaints.com

As a Saint, Naeole started 63 of his 67 games with the team. Those games are the most for any New Orleans player to have worn 65. Often forgotten in team history, Naeole was a standout blocker on otherwise mostly bad Saints teams.

After Naeole left for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2002, the Saints looked back to the draft to replace him. With a second round choice, New Orleans would add Ohio State Buckeyes lineman LeCharles Bentley.

Bentley would have four strong seasons with the Saints, first at right guard then at center. Over that span, he’d earn two trips to the Pro Bowl and started all of his 57 contests with New Orleans. His 57 games as a Saint is second only to Naeole among the players who have worn #65 for the franchise.

Sep 17, 2017; New Orleans Saints center Senio Kelemete (65) set to block against the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images

Once Bentley departed in 2006 free agency, no player would wear 65 again for the Saints until Matt Tennant in 2010. A round 5 pick from Boston College, Tennant would appear in 28 games as a reserve interior offensive lineman.

Senio Kelemete joined New Orleans as a free agent in 2014. Kelemete started only 22 games in his four years with the team. However, he appeared in 57 contests as a valued versatile fill-in along the offensive line. His 57 games as a Saint are tied with Bentley and Trapilo for the second most of the 19 players that have worn 65 for the team.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.

Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 65

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