R.I.P. NOLA Saint's Radio Analyst Hokie Gajan

Hokie Gajan

The color analyst of New Orleans Saints radio broadcasts and a former Saints player, Howard "Hokie" Gajan, has died after a five month battle with cancer.

He was 56.

Diane Newman, operations manager and program director of WWL 870 AM / 105.3 FM, the flagship station of the Saints radio network, said Gajan died Monday night, Newman said.

"Hokie Gajan was a true New Orleans Saint, as a player, a valued member of our scouting staff and later as a broadcaster," said Saints Owners Tom Benson and Gayle Benson. "Overall, he impacted our whole organization and had a special relationship with our fans for 36 years. We will miss Hokie dearly and our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy, their four daughters and the entire Gajan family."

Former Saints quarterback and WWL radio host Bobby Hebert met Gajan in 1972 when his high school team, South Lafourche, went up against Baker in the playoffs.

Hebert called Gajan "the common man's favorite football player, as tough as they come."

"I always enjoyed doing shows with Hokie, because he was always straightforward, no BS."

Newman, who hired Gajan as color analyst, described him in a statement as "Authentic. Honest. Purely Hokie. Tougher than tough, yet innocent & tender ... and funny, even in intensive care. That's why we all love him so much."