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New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson celebrates his 87th birthday today.
Thomas Milton Benson was born July 12th, 1927 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School, now known as Brother Martin, and Loyola University.
Benson's success story started in San Antonio, where he became owner of several Chevrolet car dealerships. He parlayed the profits from his dealerships by investing in local banks, taking his wealth to another level. Benson purchased the New Orleans Saints from John Mecom in 1985. The rest, as we all know it, is history.
Let's all wish Mr. Benson a happy and healthy 87th birthday. As a gift this year, his wife Gayle gave him his high school senior ring, which he couldn't afford at the time. Hopefully his one true birthday wish, however, is a long-term contract for Jimmy Graham.