NEW ORLEANS — Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco will be enshrined into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
A committee of media members selected both Bush and Colston, who were taken in the same historic 2006 NFL Draft and both members of the franchise’s Super Bowl team, will be joined by Blanco who is receiving the Joe Gemelli “Fleur de Lis” award for her vast contributions to the Saints organization.
Bush, a Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California, was one of the most prolific big-play threats in franchise history. Bush played five seasons with the Saints from 2006-10 after being the second overall pick in the 2006 Draft.
The San Diego, Calif. native appeared in 60 games and recorded 4,982 all-purpose yards in a Black and Gold uniform and scored 33 touchdowns. Bush carried 524 times for 2,090 yards with 17 touchdowns. In the passing game, he caught 294 passes for 2,142 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Bush also brought back 92 punts for 720 yard and four touchdowns. He also appeared in six career postseason contests for New Orleans and carried 38 times for 200 yards (5.3 avg. with two touchdowns, added 25 receptions for 286 yards with two touchdowns, as well as bringing back 11 punts for 144 yards with an 83-yard touchdown in the 2009 NFC Divisional Playoff win over Arizona. Bush was selected to the club’s All-50th team in 2016.
Colston, a seventh-round pick out of Hofstra, played in 146 career games for the Saints with 106 starts and recorded 711 receptions for 9,759 yards (13.7 avg.) and 72 touchdown grabs. Colston is ranked first in club record books in catches, receiving yardage, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns (72) and tied for first with 28 100-yard receiving performances. All 72 of Colston’s touchdowns were parts of connections with QB Drew Brees, making the duo the sixth-most prolific all-time in scoring pass plays.
Blanco, a New Iberia native, who served a four-year term as Governor of the State of Louisiana from 2004-08 and two terms as Lieutenant Governor from 1996-2004. Blanco played a pivotal role in collaborating with Saints Owner Tom Benson, legislators and other Saints team officials in helping the Saints’ return to a refurbished and repaired Superdome following damage incurred during Hurricane Katrina.
Blanco forcefully lobbied the state legislature to approve the funding and fast-tracking of repairs to the facility, allowing the team to return to its home stadium for the 2006 season. She was honored for her role in the Superdome being repaired and renovated at the January 13 New Orleans Saints NFC Divisional Playoff win over Philadelphia. The lobby of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been named in her honor.
Events surrounding the induction of Bush and Colston and the recognition of Blanco will take place on the weekend running from Oct. 25-27 in conjunction with the home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
For more information about the Saints Hall of Fame, visit saintshalloffame.com or call (504) 471-2191. Additional information about the Hall of Fame weekend will be announced in the coming months.