Danny Abramowicz

College:Xavier (OH)

Position:Wide Receiver

Height: 6'1" Weight:195 lbs.

Born:July 13, 1945 in Steubenville, Ohio

Joined saints:NFL draft: 1967 / Rd. 17 / Pick 420

Years with Saints:1967-73

Background: Along with Dave Whitsell and Doug Atkins, Abramowicz was among the first true stars of the New Orleans Saints franchise, the first real star on offense. An afterthought as a 17th-round draft choice and the 420th pick overall in the 1967 NFL draft out of Xavier of Ohio, Abramowicz did not impress right away. The Saints attempted to cut him but he refused to leave, pleading for a second chance. He got it and took total advantage. Abramowicz led the Saints in receptions and receiving yards in each of his first five seasons with the Saints. He had 50 catches for 721 yards and six touchdowns in an outstanding rookie season of 1967. In 1968, he improved to 54 catches for 890 yards and seven scores, ranking third in the league in receptions and seventh in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. In 1969, Abramowicz was brilliant, leading the NFL with 73 catches for 1,015 yards and seven touchdowns en route to earning first-team All-Pro honors. He caught 55 passes for 906 yards and five touchdowns in 1970, ranking third in the league in catches and seventh in receiving yards. With virtually all Saints veterans from the first four seasons gone, including quarterback Billy Kilmer, Abramowicz saw his production drop off beginning in 1971, when he caught 37 passes for 657 yards and five scores. In 1972, he ranked sixth in the league with seven touchdown catches. Tired of losing and with no promise of winning in sight, Abramowicz asked for a trade and was dealt to San Francisco early in the 1973 season. After all these years and with the dramatic increase in pass attempts and receptions, Abramowicz has stood the test of time, still ranking seventh in New Orleans Saints history in receptions and fourth in reception yardage. Abramowicz returned to New Orleans to work as the color analyst on New Orleans Saints radio broadcasts, opened a restaurant with Archie Manning and later became the head coach at Jesuit. Abramowicz served as offensive coordinator of the Saints under Mike Ditka from 1997-99. Greatest Moment: It was Dec. 31, 1969. The Saints hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season finale. Abramowicz was locked in a battle with Roy Jefferson of the Steelers for the NFL receiving title. Abramowicz and Jefferson each entered the game with 67 catches. Abramowicz proceeded to have one of his best games ever as a Saint, catching eight passes for 129 yards while the Saints defense held Jefferson to just two receptions for 27 yards, giving Abramowicz the title. More importantly, the Saints won the game in a thriller, 27-24, coming from behind to do so. Trailing 24-17 in the fourth quarter, Tom Dempsey booted a 40-yard field goal to make it 24-20 and with under a minute to play, Andy Livingston scored on three-yard run, following the lead block of Ernie Wheelwright, to win the game 27-24. Honors: Abramowicz was an inaugural inductee (along with Archie Manning) into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1988. He was named first-team All-Pro in 1969. Abramowicz was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, also in 1992. He was inducted into the Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981.