On March 8, 1967, fans started lining up at midnight to purchase the first Saints season tickets, which went on sale at 8 a.m. at the Mecom Building, 944 St. Charles Ave., on Lee Circle next to the YMCA. According to the accompanying article, the first in line were Calvin Long, 27, a baker from Poydras, and Al Whiteman, a Kenner flashbulb salesman. Two Tulane students, Ron Nestor and Charles Mendez, hoped to be first, but they unfortunately camped outside the wrong window and had to go to the rear of the line. Nearly 15,000 tickets were sold that first day. Man at far right pointing to the sign is Alfred K. Abboud (identified by his son Ronnie) ORIGINAL CAPTION Early bird Saints boosters line up for the purchase of pro football tickets which went on public sale at 8 a.m. today at 944 St. Charles. The line began forming at midnight and many of the more than 100 men and women waiting during the predawn hours were wrapped in blankets at the Lee Circle site. ORG XMIT: NOLA2016052917394841
