Sad news for the state of Louisiana as the owner of the New Orleans Saints and the Pelicans Tom Benson passed away on Thursday, March 15th at Ochsner Medical Center. Benson was hospitalized with the flu back on February 16th.
Benson purchased the Saints back in 1985 to keep the franchise in the state of Louisiana. Two years later, they posted their first winning season and advanced to the postseason for the first time.
He then purchased the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2012 from the NBA then rebranded the team as the New Orleans Pelicans.
Details regarding public visitation and funeral will come in the next few days.
Several teams, media members, and several others took to social media to pay tribute to Benson.
Former Saints OL Senio Kelemete began his news conference offering condolences to the family of Tom Benson, who died today.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 15, 2018
A statement from Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula on the passing of Saints owner Tom Benson. pic.twitter.com/HHEgU3pa5c
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) March 15, 2018
"Rest in peace, Tom Benson. His leadership turned the Saints franchise into a winner, and he was one of our league's more colorful personalities. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with Tom's family and Saints fans everywhere."
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) March 15, 2018
Statement from the Wilf Family and the Minnesota Vikings on the passing of @Saints Owner Tom Benson. pic.twitter.com/n0pxnX3FQY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 15, 2018
.@LouisianaGov: "This is a sad day for Louisiana." Tom Benson was a powerful advocate for Louisiana, Edwards says. #lalege #lagov
— Julia O'Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) March 15, 2018
"He was an amazing ambassador for the city."@ReggieBush remembers @Saints Owner Tom Benson and everything he did for the city of New Orleans ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8UBQjTslVF
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 15, 2018
Rest In Peace Mr. B! Prayers going up! #WhoDat https://t.co/KF7qbZIebk
— Ken Crawley (@RIPGADGETT) March 15, 2018
We extend our condolences to the Benson family and the New Orleans Saints. https://t.co/5TRXr1EIBD
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 15, 2018
Statement from Martha Firestone Ford on the passing of @Saints owner Tom Benson: https://t.co/WlvVeFtEu2 https://t.co/QbIBQu38al
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 15, 2018
-Clint Domingue