Hokie Gajan Loses His Battle With Cancer

Howard Lee "Hokie" Gajan, beloved Saints color analyst and former Baker High School, LSU, and Saints running back, has died of cancer at the age of 56. Gajan, who played for the Saints from 1981 to 1987, became the color analyst for the team's radio broadcasts and was one of two former players elected this year to go into the Saints Hall of Fame in May. The other, Will Smith, also died this past week.

Gajan's career with the Saint's was cut short by injuries, although his best year, 1984, he led the entire NFL in yards per carry with 6.0, and it was as a down home and often hilarious color analyst for the team that many will remember him best. He landed the job in 2000 after spending many years as a scout for the Saints organization. His longtime partner in the booth, Jim Henderson said of him, "I loved him dearly. He's one of the best people, so true and genuine; he's one of the most original people I've ever met.", and another Louisiana football legend, Bobby Hebert, summed up Hokie this way. "He was the common man's favorite football player, as tough as they come."

Gajan is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Jennifer, Megan, Kristin, and Alexis (Peanut), and will be sorely missed by Tiger fans and Who Dats across America.