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SEASON ENDS AS HEAD COACH KELLEN MOORE BIDS FAREWELL TO THE SAINTS

When the final whistle blew at Hard Rock Stadium, the New Orleans Saints walked away with a heartbreaking 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. But the bigger shock came off the field as the Saints fired head coach Kellen Moore just hours after the game.

New Orleans Saints Fans Are 'Done' With Head Coach Kellen Moore - The Spun

A Loss That Marked the End

The game started disastrously for New Orleans. The Saints trailed 16-0 by halftime, with the offense completely stalled. Miami opened the scoring with a brilliant 29-yard rushing touchdown by De’Von Achane, then added three field goals including one just before the break.

In the third quarter, the Saints finally showed signs of life. Quarterback Tyler Shough threw a touchdown and ran in the 2-point conversion himself to close the gap to 16-8. Miami quickly responded with a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to 19-8. Saints kicker Blake Grupe nailed a booming 56-yard field goal to make it 19-11.

Drama Until the Final Seconds

The fourth quarter was pure drama. With just 1:17 left on the clock, Shough connected with Devaughn Vele for another touchdown, cutting the lead to 19-17. New Orleans went for the game-tying 2-point conversion, but Shough’s pass was intercepted by Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it the length of the field for a defensive 2-point conversion, putting Miami up 21-17.

Still, the Saints weren’t done. They pulled off a perfect onside kick and recovered the ball, a golden opportunity for a game-winning drive. But they couldn’t finish the comeback. The loss, 21-17, sealed more than just the scoreboard.

Saints' Gayle Benson Says She'll Stick With 'Owner' Title

Gayle Benson’s Patience Runs Out

Just hours after the game, Gayle Benson, the Saints’ team owner and president, announced the immediate dismissal of head coach Kellen Moore.

"We need a new direction. With all due respect, Kellen Moore has not met the expectations required to lead this team."

No further comments were made, but sources within the organization confirmed that the decision had been brewing after a string of disappointing performances and the loss to the Dolphins was simply the breaking point.

Defeat, heartbreak, and a swift exit. The Saints’ season didn’t just end with a close loss. It ended with the departure of a head coach once believed to be the spark for a franchise revival.

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Saints Cheerleader Sues a Saints Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the New Orleans Saints is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Saints Cheer Krewe – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Saints history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team New Orleans Saints in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Saints Cheer Krewe group. She is a former student at the University of Louisiana, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Tulane University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Caesars Superdome, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Saints. As part of the Saints Cheer Krewe team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Saints games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_saints) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Saints, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Saints player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Saints – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Saints are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Saints "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!