The New Orleans Saints mourn the loss of Hokie Gajan, who had a continuous 36-year affiliation with the club as a player, valued member of the player personnel staff and as a radio color analyst for the team's games.

"Hokie Gajan was a true New Orleans Saint, as a player, a valued member of our scouting staff and later as a broadcaster," said Saints Owners Tom Benson and Gayle Benson. "Overall, he impacted our whole organization and had a special relationship with our fans for 36 years. We will miss Hokie dearly and our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy, their four daughters and the entire Gajan family."

A native of Baker, La., who played at LSU from 1997-80, Gajan was originally selected by the Saints in the 10th round (249th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played in 45 career games at fullback for the Black and Gold and posted career totals of 252 carries for 1,358 yards (5.4 avg.) with 11 touchdowns and added 63 receptions for 515 yards with two touchdowns, also passing for a 34-yard touchdown in 1984. Gajan's yards per carry average ranks second all-time in Saints record books. He enjoyed his finest season in 1984 when he played in 14 games and carried 102 times for 615 yards (6.0 avg.) with five touchdowns and recorded 35 grabs for 288 yards (8.2 avg.), setting career-highs in yards per carry, which still ranks second in club record books, and rushing and receiving yardage.

Gajan suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 1986 season and following a subsequent injury to the other knee in 1987, he retired and immediately transitioned into a 14-year career as a scout for the club. Gajan was primarily responsible for scouting college players in the Southwest region from Louisiana to New Mexico. Following the 2000 NFL Draft, Gajan took over color analyst duties for WWL Radio, where he utilized his perspectives as both a former player and scout for Saints games and the flagship station's coverage of the NFL Draft, offseason and training camp practices and other club-related programming.

Gajan is survived by his wife Judy and their four daughters, Jennifer, Kristin, Megan and Alexis.