Saints Owner Donates Big To Pro Football Hall Of Fame

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson donated $11 million to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for use in its project, the Hall of Fame Village.

More from New Orleans Saints

As mentioned in a story by Pro Football Talk, Saints owner Tom Benson made a record donation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to help the Hall of Fame Village project. In return, the Hall of Fame intends to rename the venue that hosts the Hall of Fame game as well as the enshrinement ceremony to the “Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.”

The $11 million gift will be split in two ways. The larger amount of $10 million will go towards a facility that currently serves two high school and two college teams. The money will be used to upgrade the facility. The remaining $1 million will be used to help fund the Hall of Fame’s Legends Landing Program. This program helps provide assistance and housing to former NFL players, including Hall of Famers and those with serious financial need.

Benson was quoted via Pro Football Talk with a statement on his gift.

"“While recognition for a gift like this is nice, it is not the point,” Benson said. “The point is understanding what is behind the plans for the Hall of Fame Village. . . . Once I learned them I wanted to play a role. . . . I feel this small part I am playing here is my way of saying thank you to the great game of football.”"

Benson said he also sent a letter to his fellow owners to request that they match his donation to the Legends Landing Program.

More from FanSided

Home/New Orleans Saints