New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, late husband Tom Benson inducted into NOLA Walk of Fame

Induction class includes Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk

Feb 06, 2025 at 03:23 PM

John DeShazier

Senior Writer

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson and her late husband Tom Benson joined the latest induction class to the NOLA Walk of Fame at a ceremony on Canal Street during Super Bowl LIX week on February 6, 2025.

Before New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson was presented with plaques signifying the inductions of herself and her late husband, former Saints owner Tom Benson, into the NOLA Walk of Fame on Thursday, Percy "Master P" Miller reminisced on an encounter he had with Tom Benson.

Miller, who also is an inductee in the Walk of Fame, is one of the visionaries who conceived the creation of the Walk of Fame.

Miller said as a 15-year-old, selling popcorn at the Caesars Superdome during Saints games, he had an opportunity to have an encounter with Tom Benson, who bought the Saints in 1985.

"I was at the Superdome selling popcorn at 15 years old, and I said, 'Mr. Benson, I'm going to be a star one day and I'm going to have a business and I'm going to make a lot of money,'" Miller said. "And he laughed and said, 'Man, I know you can do it.'

"And to be able to be here and put this fleur-de-lis on Canal Street in his honor, and his wife, Mrs. Gayle Benson – thank you."

The plaques presented to inductees Thursday, in a ceremony conducted in front of Canal Place shopping center, included a fleur-de-lis. So, too, will the permanent markers that will be imbedded in the sidewalk.

The Bensons were part of an induction class that included actor and activist Wendell Pierce, late chef Leah Chase, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial, current New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell, late Xavier University president Norman C. Francis, musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and NBA champion Avery Johnson.

Previously announced inductees include Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.

Inductees do not have to be New Orleans natives – Cantrell was born in Los Angeles – but need to have a link to New Orleans and to have impacted nationally or globally in such a way as to earn induction.

Photos: Saints owner Gayle Benson inducted into NOLA Walk of Fame

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson and her late husband Tom Benson joined the latest induction class to the NOLA Walk of Fame at a ceremony on Canal Street during Super Bowl LIX week on February 6, 2025.