Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn who was elected in unanimous fashion for induction into the Saints Hall of Fame for 2010 by the Saints Hall of Fame Media Selection Committee, as well as long-time Head Equipment Manager Dan "Chief" Simmons and long-time Assistant Equipment Manager Glennon "Silky" Powell, wwho were chosen to receive the prestigious Joe Gemelli Fleur De Lis Award by the Selection Committee. The waiting will end on Friday as well three will be inducted at a luncheon at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie.
Horn, who played for the Saints for seven seasons from 2000-2006, is second all-time in receptions, receiving yards and third in touchdowns in Saints history with 523 catches, 7,622 yards and 50 touchdowns, respectively. Horn's 50 touchdown receptions are the most in franchise history and his 27 games of 100 yards or more of receiving yardage ranks number one in New Orleans Saints history.
Horn ranks sixth in team history with 306 points. He is tied with Marques Colston for the most touchdown receptions in a single season with 11 (2004). In 2004, Horn ranked second in the NFL with 1,399 receiving yards. Horn had career highs of 94 catches in both 2000, helping lead the Saints to the NFC West title and their first playoff victory ever and in 2004.
In 2006, Horn battled injuries but still contributed 37 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints won the NFC South and advanced to the NFC Championship.
Horn was named to four Pro Bowls in his seven seasons in New Orleans. Only William Roaf (7), Rickey Jackson (6) and Morten Andersen (6) have been named to more Pro Bowls as members of the New Orleans Saints. Horn is tied with Vaughan Johnson, Sam Mills and Pat Swilling with the four Pro Bowls. In June, he signed a one-day contract with New Orleans and retired a Saint.
Simmons is currently the longest tenured employee of the Saints. He's in his 38th season with the club in 2010 after beginning his black and gold journey in 1973.
Simmons and his staff have been selected by their peers in both 1994 and 2005 as the winner of the Whitey Zimmerman Memorial Award, annually given to the NFL equipment staff that exceeds the usual demands of the position. Running NFL an NFL equipment staff runs in his blood as his father, Bill, held a similar post with the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 yards. Simmons joined the Saints after working for his father.
Simmons served his country in the United States Navy in Vietnam. He and his wife, Elaine, have three children—Tracy, Tony and Amy, along with four grandchildren.
Powell is the second longest tenured employee in New Orleans Saints history. He's in his 36th season working for the New Orleans Saints in 2010 after beginning his black and gold journey in 1975.
A New Orleans native and graduate of Redemptorist High School, where he also served as a coach and manager, Powell and his wife Connie have three children—Alley, Maggie and Erin. Simmons and Powell are the first co-recipients of the Gemelli Award since the inception of the honor in 1989.
The award is named after the late Joe Gemelli. The clothier helped form the Touchdown Club and was the first president of the Saints Hall of Fame Museum.
The Gemelli Award is awarded annually to those who have served the Saints in a significant capacity and have contributed to the betterment of the organization.
