After 44 years with the organization, Kevin Mangum announces his retirement.
New Orleans Saints assistant athletic trainer Kevin Mangum officially announced his retirement from duty on Thursday, March 6.
Mangum has been with the New Orleans Saints since 1980, a tenure of 44 years with the franchise. He started as an intern with the team that year before being promoted to the athletic training staff the following year.
Mangum was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2022 as a recipient of the Joe Gemelli ''Fleur-De-Lis'' award.
Kevin Mangum had this to say during his retirement announcement:
''I have worked for a first class organization with amazing people and special friends for 44 years. As I close out my time here, it has become even more evident how very fortunate I am to have spent over half my life working for the New Orleans Saints," said Mangum. "I have always worked to embrace God's perfect will for my life, and I know now, without a doubt, that it was his will that I remain with this football club for my entire career. I don't deserve all the grace that I have been given, but by grace and through faith, God has given me so much.
To Mrs. Benson, Mickey Loomis, Dennis Lauscha, and all the players and staff I have worked with in my career, I wish you nothing but the very best and thank you so very much."
Mangum has lasted through three owners and seven head coaches along with five interim coaches during his time with New Orleans. He's been on the staff for most of the most significant moments in franchise history.
Included among those moments was the first winning season and playoff berth in team history, the franchise's first postseason win, and a berth and victory in Super Bowl XLIV.
New Orleans owner Gayle Benson had this to say about Mangum's time with the team:
''Kevin has been a nationally acclaimed athletic trainer, working quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes of our operations for four decades. We are truly grateful for his professionalism and the dedication he showed throughout his legendary career. His hard work and selflessness have left a lasting impact, and he will always be welcome in our organization. His influence extends far beyond the training room, shaping the culture of excellence and care that defines our team.
As he steps into this well-deserved next chapter of his life, we sincerely wish Kevin the very best in retirement and thank him for the immeasurable contributions he made to our success."
Executive Vice President and General Manager Mickey Loomis went on to add:
''Kevin established a well-earned Hall of Fame career in the athletic training field that exceeded four decades with the Saints. He conducted himself with tremendous grace, dignity, and was the epitome of professionalism throughout his outstanding career. He has been and will always remain highly respected by his co-workers, the thousands of players, both former and current, that have worn a Saints uniform, and by the coaches and administrators that have worked here.
Kevin is held in the highest regard among his professional peers and has been an outstanding mentor to countless young women and men. He will always be a cherished member of the fabric of the New Orleans Saints and we congratulate both he and his family on an amazing career. He deserves a long and healthy retirement and we are proud of his accomplishments and contributions to our organization."
A member of the Saints organization for 44 years, Kevin Mangum now heads into retirement after many outstanding accomplishments with New Orleans.
