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The New Orleans Saints announced on Wednesday afternoon that they will add three more illustrious names to their franchise's Hall of Fame. The official induction ceremony will be on October 25, with festivities that weekend leading up to the Saints October 27th home game against the Arizona Cardinals. Here are the newest members to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame:
Kathleen Blanco, Governor
(2004-08)
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Blanco was the recipient of the Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis Award for her contributions to the city of New Orleans and the Saints organization. Blanco served as Louisiana Governor from 2004-08. She was instrumental in recovery efforts for the city and region following the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Blanco also worked closely with Saints owner Tom Benson during those difficult times to keep the city's beloved franchise in New Orleans after Katrina.
Congratulations Governor Blanco!
Reggie Bush, RB
(2006-10)
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Bush would be the 2nd overall pick in the 2006 draft after a decorated and Heisman Trophy winning career at U.S.C. Bush would earn a spot on the NFL's All-Rookie team in 2006, finishing with 565 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns and adding a team high 88 receptions for 742 yards and 2 scores. He would play for the Saints for the next five seasons, and be a pivotal part of an productive Saints offense that terrorized the NFL. Bush would finish his Saints career with 4,232 yards from scrimmage, 294 receptions and 29 offensive touchdowns. He was one of the most versatile weapons in the league, and would also give New Orleans an explosive element with his punt return skills. Bush led the NFL with 3 punt return scores in 2008, and would have four touchdown returns in his New Orleans career. He had a memorable game against the Arizona Cardinals during a 2010 divisional playoff game, accumulating 108 offensive yards and a touchdown on just 9 touches and adding a spectacular 83-yd. punt return score. Bush would go on to have multiple 1,000 yard rushing seasons with Miami and Detroit after departing the Saints in 2011, but has earned his place in the hearts of Saints fans for his playmaking abilities and contributions to a Super Bowl XLIV title.
Congratulations Reggie!
Marques Colston, WR
(2006-15)
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250 draft picks after Bush was selected at number two in 2006, the Saints used the 252nd pick (7th round) to select a little known player from Hofstra named Marques Colston. The 6'4 225-lb. Colston would win a starting job in his first preseason, and quickly became a favorite target for quarterback Drew Brees. He finished tied for second in the voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year in '06, as his 70 catches for 1,038 yards and 8 touchdowns earned him a spot on the All-Rookie squad. Colston would go on to set numerous franchise marks in receiving production over the next ten years with the Saints, and earning the nickname "Quiet Storm" for his unassuming demeanor. Colston finished his career with 711 receptions for 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns, all tops in Saints franchise history. His best year was 2007, when he had 98 catches for 1,202 yards and 8 scores. He had 70 catches for 1,074 yards and 9 touchdowns during the Saints World championship season of 2009, and led the team with 83 yards receiving on 7 catches in Super Bowl XLIV. Colston had seven seasons of at least 70 catches, and eight years of over 900 yards receiving. His six seasons of over 1,000 yards is also a franchise record, and accounts for 1/4 of the team's 24 1,000 yard receiving seasons. Colston was amazingly never selected to a Pro Bowl despite his production, but is considered one of the greatest offensive players in team history.
Congratulations Marques!