Hokie and Mark, in Hall of Honor....
 

Gajan, Fields given distinction
Their photos hung in Saints' Hall of Honor Saturday, May 19, 2007By Mike Triplett
The Saints added former linebacker Mark Fields and fullback Hokie Gajan to their Hall of Honor, hanging their photos in the hallways of their training facility.

Fields had 560 tackles, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions with the Saints from 1995 to 2000. He moved on to St. Louis and Carolina in free agency, but his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.

Gajan was a 10th-round draft pick who ran for 1,358 yards and 11 touchdowns from 1982 to '85, with 63 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns.

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"Mark and Hokie are two players who embody the spirit of the Saints," team owner Tom Benson said in a statement. "They were embraced by the fans, and over the last several years we've honored some of the best players in club history.

"It's a way to show respect and admiration for the players who laid the groundwork for our organization today."

The Saints' Hall of Honor includes: WR Danny Abramowicz (1967-73), K Morten Andersen (1982-94), T Stan Brock (1980-92), G Jim Dombrowski (1986-96), Fields (1995-2000), General Manager Jim Finks (1986-93), Gajan (1981-86), QB Bobby Hebert (1985-89, 91-92), RB Dalton Hilliard (1986-93), LB Rickey Jackson (1981-93), LB Vaughan Johnson (1986-93), QB Archie Manning (1971-82), WR Eric Martin (1985-93), DE Wayne Martin (1989-99), LB Sam Mills (1986-94), DT Derland Moore (1973-85), Coach Jim Mora (1986-96), S Tommy Myers (1972-81), RB Chuck Muncie (1976-80), T William Roaf (1993-2001), RB George Rogers (1981-84), LB Pat Swilling (1986-92) and DE Frank Warren (1981-89, 91-94).

DEUCE'S CHARITY EFFORTS: Saints tailback Deuce McAllister hosted the Allfax Specialties Gold Classic on Friday at the Beau Chene Country Club in Mandeville. More than $150,000 raised at the annual fund-raiser will go to Children's Hospital of New Orleans.

McAllister also served as a celebrity bartender at Anatole's Restaurant on Thursday night to help raise money for his Catch 22 Foundation. Sunday he is serving as an honorary chair at the YMCA New Orleans' Garden Party fund-raiser.

On June 5, McAllister will host his annual celebrity waiter event at the New Orleans Marriott Convention Center. Those interested in attending should contact Josselyn Miller at (504) 251-7821 or catch22foundation@sbcglobal.net.

I don't know about Mark Fields, I think it's a feel good move, but Hokie was a legendary story, home-state guy made it big in NOLA, then he was injured with so much hope ahead. He's more of a legend as a personality.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I thought Mark Fields underachieved during his tenure as a Saint.

Mark was a player with god given talent that never seemed to get it all together. He could have been a probowl player for many years but instead made it only once. I still to this day have not seen a LB with his speed. Even the great Brain is not as fast. The only problem was he over ran plays with bad angles. He was something to watch. I always liked him but thought he never was coached right. This is probably a feel good thing.

Hokie is another story. He deserves it. His playing time was cut short by the saints. He never should have been allowed back on the field after the knee injury. He should of sat out the rest of the year. But that was the kind of player he was. Team first. Dumb move. He had another 5 years left in him easy.