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During a career in business and professional sports that spanned over 70 years, Tom Benson was an endearing figure in his hometown of New Orleans as well as throughout the NBA and the NFL. Benson served as the owner of the New Orleans Saints since 1985 and the New Orleans Pelicans from 2012 until his death on March 15.

Benson will be one of four standout local sports figures to be inducted into the Allstate Sugar Bowl's Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame on Aug. 4 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Gayle Benson, his widow, will accept on his behalf.



Each year's Hall of Fame class is selected by the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, a group of current and former media members who annually recognize a variety of award-winners, including the Hall of Fame, the Corbett Awards and the Eddie Robinson Award. The group also selects the Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month each month.

A total of 23 individuals, including this year's Hall of Fame class, and three teams will be honored at this year's banquet.

Raised in the city's St. Roch neighborhood, Benson graduated from St. Aloysius High School (now Brother Martin) in 1944. Following his graduation, he enrolled at Loyola University to study business and accounting. He interrupted his education to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and upon the conclusion of World War II, Benson returned home to New Orleans and continued his business administration studies.

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QBREES9

A well deserved Honor, Congratulations Mr Benson.

jeanpierre

Surprised he wasn't already in there...