Saints to honor the late Will Smith, Hokie Gajan

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Posted by Michael David Smith on May 17, 2016, 6:11 PM EDT

As they do each year, the Saints will induct a former player into their Hall of Fame this season, and will award a longtime contributor to the franchise with their Fleur de Lis award. But this year the ceremony will be a somber occasion.

The Saints have officially announced that defensive end Will Smith will be inducted into their Hall of Fame and longtime radio commentator Hokie Gajan will receive their Fleur de Lis award. Both men died last month and will be honored posthumously at a ceremony in October.

The votes to honor Smith and Gajan were taken before they died. Smith was shot and killed at the age of 34 after a dispute on a New Orleans street on April 9. Gajan, who also played for the Saints and worked for the team as a scout, died of cancer on April 11 at the age of 56.

“Will had the talent, leadership ability and work ethic that you look for in a player,” Saints President Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “In 10 seasons as a Saint, Will more than fulfilled his potential both on and off the field. He was an outstanding player who helped us win a Super Bowl and he was a great representative of the organization in the community. One thing that stands out about Will is that everything he did throughout the week he attacked with a high level of passion, which rubbed off on everyone on our team.”

Loomis said Gajan “always had a special bond both with everyone he touched with the New Orleans Saints as well as our fan base.”

The Saints’ fan base will both celebrate and mourn Smith and Gajan this year.

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