Today, our Hancock Whitney Bank family joins the Greater New Orleans and Gulf South communities in grieving the loss of one of America’s most accomplished and caring business leaders and philanthropists, New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Thomas Milton “Tom” Benson, Jr. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to the Benson family, the Saints and Pelicans organizations, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the countless people and institutions benefiting from his outstanding accomplishments and compassion.
Tom Benson was a true son of New Orleans. The 7th Ward native, Loyola University alumnus, and U.S. Navy veteran was the quintessential champion for his hometown and his home teams. Through his keen business sense, he amassed an impressive array of achievements within the sports industry, including securing the Saints and the Pelicans as New Orleans’ teams, and brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy to New Orleans by winning Super Bowl XLIV. With even greater passion, he led a life of extraordinary altruism, recognized and admired for a personal generosity that continues to create innumerable economic, educational, entertainment, healthcare, and cultural opportunities for the people who live, work, and raise children in the Crescent City as well as neighboring communities and states.
As the bank of the New Orleans Saints and as fellow Gulf South citizens, we at Hancock Whitney will long honor and remember our partner and friend, Tom Benson, with the utmost respect and gratitude. His remarkable legacy of leadership, service, and community commitment will continue to thrive throughout the region. May God bless him, his loved ones, and the many people whose lives he made better through his guidance and giving.
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