With just 61 days until the New Orleans Saints' season opener, a look back at the history of players who have donned the No. 61 jersey reveals some significant names. Most notable is Pro Bowl center Joel Hilgenberg, who played 142 games for the Saints from 1984 to 1993 before being inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2006. The last player to wear the number was center Sincere Haynesworth, who played for the Saints in 2024.

Throughout the years, a variety of players have taken to the field in the No. 61 jersey, including Josh LeRibeus, Montrae Holland, Ed King, and Greg Loberg, showcasing a lineage of centers and linemen crucial to the Saints' offensive line. Each of these players contributed to the team's efforts during their respective tenures, making the number not only a piece of fabric but a symbol of the team's journey.