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New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson dead at 90

6 years 1 month 5 days ago Thursday, March 15 2018 Mar 15, 2018 March 15, 2018 4:15 PM March 15, 2018 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: Jeremy Krail

NEW ORLEANS - Tom Benson, one of the most influential men in all of Louisiana, has died Thursday.

According to the New Orleans Saints, Benson passed away at age 90 at Ochsner Medical Center with his wife Gayle Marie Benson by his side. Benson owned both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports teams.

Benson first made a splash in the pro sports scene when he bought the Saints in 1985. At that time, it appeared the team would be sold to out-of-state interests and perhaps moved out of Louisiana. He paid $70 million for the team, which is now worth more than $1 billion.
Benson was largely responsible for turning the club from an annual source of disappointment to regular contenders in the NFL postseason, finally earning the city its first Super Bowl win in 2010.

Benson had been admitted to the intensive care unit at Ochsner on Feb. 21, where he was treated for flu-like symptoms. Four days later, a spokesperson said Benson was receiving “exemplary care for the flu” but was stable. On March 6, the team said Benson was showing “signs of improving.”

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Numerous figures across the country have spoken out after Benson's death, including Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and former President George H.W. Bush.

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