By Ken Trahan/Saints Hall of Fame

The media selection committee of the Saints Hall of Fame has selected Hokie Gajan as its Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis award honoree for his vast contributions to the New Orleans Saints organization.

The committee made its selection in March, more than a month prior to Gajan's passing on Monday after a brief battle with a rare form of cancer. Though the official announcement of the 2016 honorees for the Saints Hall of Fame will take place on May 17, Saints Hall of Fame management deemed it appropriate to announce Gajan's selection in the wake of his passing.

Gajan was an excellent player for the New Orleans Saints from 1982-1985 after being selected by the Saints in the 10th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Gajan rushed for 1,358 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 63 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns in his Saints career. His career average of 5.4 yards per carry and 1984 season average of 6.0 yards per rush both rank second in team history.

After retiring from playing, Gajan served as a scout for the Saints before becoming the color analyst for the New Orleans Saints radio network, working with long-time play-by-play voice Jim Henderson since 2000. Gajan continued to work games in 2015, despite the onset of his illness.

Will Smith, who passed away Saturday, was elected unanimously to the Saints Hall of Fame at the same committee meeting last month. He and Gajan will be inducted posthumously at a date to be announced this fall, in conjunction with a Saints home game.