New Orleans Saints to play in the Hall of Fame game

The New Orleans Saints reportedly will play in the preseason Hall of Fame Game according to FOXSports.com.

The game, which is televised nationally, takes place on August 5th, 2012 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio right next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Who the New Orleans Saints will face has yet to be announced.

It is reported that the Saints offered to play in this year’s annual preseason opener because it will coincide with offensive tackle Willie Roaf’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame which is that weekend.

Other inductees into the Hall of Fame that weekend are Jack Butler, Dermontii Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, and Curtis Martin.

Teams that play in the Hall of Fame game end up playing a total of five preseason games instead of the four games by non-competitors.

Due to the NFL Lockout there was no Hall of Fame game for the 2011 NFL season. Had there have been a game, it would have featured the Chicago Bears vs the St. Louis Rams.

It would have marked only the second time since 1971 that two teams from the same conference faced off against one another.

The Saints last played in the Hall of Fame game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, a game in which they lost 20-7.

In the Hall of Fame game the New Orleans Saints have a record of 1-3 (.250 win percentage). Their only win came on August 8, 1970 when the Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14-13.