Charlie Durkee – The First Saints Kicker

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Charlie Durkee 1968 New Orleans Saints — Saints Kicker Charlie Durkee

1967 Saints Kicker Charlie Durkee — The team’s leading scorer in 1967 an 1969.

So while his time in the NFL may have been brief and somewhat uneventful, Charlie Durkee will forever be remembered as the New Orleans Saints first ever kicker. He graduated from Oklahoma State and led the Sooners in scoring in 1965, the same year he was selected as the teams MVP. After trying out with the Dallas Cowboys in 1966 he earned a spot with the Saints in 1967. He would remain the kicker into the 1968 season and then again in 1971 after kicking legend Tom Dempsey was traded to the Eagles. And while his accomplishments may not have been as impressive as some other Saint kickers he nevertheless had his shining moments. He was the team’s leading scorer that first Saints season with 69 points. In 1968 – his best year in the NFL – he connected on 19 of 37 field goals and led the team in scoring again with 84 points. That was good enough to be #9 in league scoring for the season. That year against Minnesota he kicked 2 fourth quarter field goals to beat the Vikes 20-17. He also turned in a 3 field goal afternoon against the Steelers in a 16 to 12 victory. In 1971 against the Packers he had probably the best game of his career with 5 of 5 field goals to give the Saints a 29 to 21 road victory in Milwaukee County Stadium. His 52 career field goals is still #6 on the New Orleans Saints Team All-Time field goals made. After leaving the Saints in 1972 he spent 2 seasons in World Football League with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Express.

Charlie Durkee Career Kicking Statistics with the Saints

Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	FGA	FGM	Lng	FG%	XPA	XPM	XP%	Total Points
1967	23	Saints	K	10	14	32	14	47	43.8%	27	27	100.0%	69
1968	24	Saints	K	10	14	37*	19	42	51.4%	27	27	100.0%	84
1971	27	Saints	K	15	12	23	16	38	69.6%	25	24	96.0%	72
1972	28	Saints	K	15	6	9	3	36	33.3%	9	9	100.0%	16
Career					46	101	52	47	51.5%	88	87	98.9%	243

* – Led League

Rookie Saints Kicker Charlie Durkee in 1967 — Rookie Charlie Durkee

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Phil

I've been following the Saints since a kid in the 70s watching the likes of Archie Manning and Tommy Myers.
We may not have as grandiose a history as some NFL teams, but there are scores of memories the New Orleans Saints have given to their fans and I have done my best to record them here at New Orleans Saints History.