The New Orleans Saints lost one of their original expansion-era players when former linebacker Phil Vandersea passed away on October 24 in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, at the age of 83 following a long illness.
Vandersea arrived in New Orleans as part of the franchise’s foundational roster.
Selected by the Saints in the 1967 NFL expansion draft from the Green Bay Packers, he brought Super Bowl I championship experience to a brand-new team taking the field for the first time.
He appeared in eight games during the Saints’ inaugural 3-11 season under head coach Tom Fears, primarily lining up at linebacker while also contributing on special teams (one kickoff return for 13 yards).
At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, the Whitinsville, Massachusetts, native had already proven his toughness and versatility.
A multi-sport star at Northbridge High School, he starred at the University of Massachusetts as a fullback, punter, and defender, helping the Minutemen to an 8-0-1 record in 1963 and earning All-Yankee Conference honors as a senior.
The Packers drafted him in the 16th round in 1965; as a rookie in 1966 he contributed on defense and special teams as Vince Lombardi’s team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in the first Super Bowl.
After his one-year stint in black and gold, Vandersea returned to Green Bay for 1968 and 1969, shifting to defensive end, before finishing his professional career with a brief stint for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in 1972.
Across four NFL seasons he played in 46 games at multiple positions, a reflection of the adaptability that made him valuable to an expansion club still finding its identity.
Off the field, Vandersea spent two decades with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections as a counselor and community release supervisor.
He remained connected to football by supporting retired players and participating in research on the long-term effects of concussions; he donated his brain to Boston University’s CTE study. He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra; their children Scott and Kathy; grandchildren; and his younger brother, Mark. A celebration of life is scheduled for November 8 in Northborough, Massachusetts.
For the Saints, Vandersea represents the earliest days of the franchise—an experienced veteran who helped launch the team that would grow into a cornerstone of New Orleans.
His brief but genuine contribution to the inaugural roster is part of the club’s founding story.
