Former Saints Fullback and Color Analyst Hokie Gajan Passes Away

Former Saints fullback, scout, and color analyst Howard Lee "Hokie" Gajan lost his battle to a rare form of cancer called liposarcoma late last night. He was only 56 years old.

Gajan was a 10th round draft pick of the Saints in 1981, playing fullback/running back for the team from 1981 to 1985 and starting 36 games. His best season came in 1984 when he led the team in receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. He also had a league-best rushing average of six yards per carry that year.

When his playing career ended in 1987, he became a team scout for nearly 20 years. Gajan began working next to Jim Henderson in 2000 as color analyst for Saints game radio broadcasts on WWL.

He leaves behind a wife, Judy, four daughters and nine grandchildren.

Hokie was elected to the Saints Hall of Fame last month along with Will Smith.

Friends and colleagues have been sending condolences and sharing their favorite Hokie stories on Twitter all morning. Please share your favorite story below.

I was never Gus to Hokie. I was Elmer. Said my hat in Chi reminded him of Elmer Fudd. Thank you Hokie 4 the memories pic.twitter.com/ckEdzVQV1P

— Gus Kattengell (@Gkatt_17) April 12, 2016

Hokie once told me " I had deceptive speed, I was slower than I appeared." His sense of humor was so refreshing.

— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) April 12, 2016

God Bless my friend Hokie Gajan. Terrible loss. Quality man all those years working with him at @WWLAMFM & @HTV10 pic.twitter.com/KbPzWlOHMP

— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) April 12, 2016

Just heard on WWL: "He coulda dropped it in a coffee cup," Hokie Gajan once said of a long pass from Drew Brees to Devery Henderson.

— Christopher Dabe (@cmdabe) April 12, 2016