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Bobby Hebert thought he was joining the Seattle Seahawks in 1985.

Then, Tom Benson bought the New Orleans Saints, and Hebert's plans suddenly changed.

"I wouldn't have played for the New Orleans Saints if it wasn't for Tom Benson," Hebert said Wednesday at the visitation service for Benson, who died last Thursday. "After the USFL folded and I played in the championship game with the Oakland Invaders, I was going to the Seattle Seahawks."



The Cajun Cannon, a native of Cut Off, said the Seahawks offered him a $750,000 signing bonus, and he was ready to agree to the deal.

However, Benson bought the Saints from John Mecom. The Saints were supposedly moving to Jacksonville, but Benson ensured they would stay in New Orleans.

Then, Benson made his move to acquire Hebert. The new owner called in help from then-Gov. Edwin Edwards, and former state Senator Leonard Chaubert even called Hebert's father.

Hebert flew to San Antonio on Benson's jets to meet at a car dealership. Benson and Hebert's agent Greg Campbell negotiated a deal.

All of a sudden, Hebert received a $1.2 million signing bonus, which was the largest in NFL history at the time. Hebert thought he "hit the lottery," and he was so excited that Benson made him a millionaire at 25.

Bobby Hebert shares how Tom Benson brought him to the Saints | NOLA.com

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."