and owner Tom Benson died on Thursday after nearly a month-long battle with the flu, the Saints announced. Benson, who owned the Saints since 1985 and the Pelicans since 2012, was 90.The Saints' release noted that he died with his wife, Gayle Marie Benson, by his side. Saints Owner Tom Benson, 90, pa sed away peacefully today at Ochsner Medical Center Alex Galchenyuk Men Jersey with his wife Gayle Marie Benson at his side New Orleans Saints (@Saints) In 2015, Benson said that On Thursday, the Saints' official Twitter account confirmed that theBenson was a native of New Orleans, attended Loyola University New Orleans, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On May 31, 1985, after earning a fortune in the busine ses of cars and banking, he bought the Saints and kept them in New Orleans. During his time as the owner, the Saints went to the playoffs 11 times and won Super Bowl XLIVIn 2012, Benson bought the New Orleans . They were eventually renamed the Jeremy Roenick Kids Jersey Pelicans. By many accounts, Tom Benson saved profe sional football and basketball in New Orleans, by purchasing the Saints in 1985 and the Pelicans in 2012.There were some public spats and ugly disputes along the way, but it's likely these franchises would be elsewhere if not for him. Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) Shortly after his pa sing, countle s ex-players and those who knew Benson expre sed their sorrow on social media.Rip to Mr. BENSON... Delvin Breaux Sr (@BreauxShow24) Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) He changed and impacted countle s lives! You will be mi sed greatly Mr. B! Rest up Terron Armstead (@T Jakob Chychrun Kids Jersey _Armstead72) REST IN PEACE MR. BENSON! Nathan Stupar (@thenastynate54) RIP Mr. B Damian Swann (@D_Swann) RIP Mr. Benson you will be mi sed Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) RIP Mr. B! Craig Robertson (@C__Robertson) Thanks for everything, Mr. B. Much love appreciation from the whole Fujita family. Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) Condolences to the family..Rest In Peace Mr. Benson jairus byrd (@jairusbyrd) Very few people have impacted so many lives in a great way - RIP in Mr. Benson- we will mi s you- I will mi s you! Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) Hard to quantify Tom Bensons impact. RIP Mr. B. John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) RIP MR BENSON appreciate the great opportunities you gave ... Khiry Robinson (@_numberthreeRB) Rest In Peace. jonathan goodwin (@jgoody55) Rest easy! Hate to hear this! Send my condolences to his family and organization! Shaq Thompson (@ShaqThompson_7) NFL teams and NFL commi sioner Roger Goodell also gave their condolences on Twitter. Here are a few of their me sages, though certainly not all Lawson Crouse Jersey of them:So sad to hear the news of the pa sing of Mr. Benson. statement Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) Sending our deepest condolences to the Benson family and the entire Saints organization. San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) We extend our condolences to the Benson family and the New Orleans Saints. Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) Our thoughts and prayers are with the Benson family and the entire Saints organization. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) Our sympathies and condolences are with the Benson family and Anthony Duclair Jersey the entire Saints organization. Denver Broncos (@Broncos) A statement from Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula on the pa sing of Saints owner Tom Benson. Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) NOLA.com, meanwhile, provided a look-back at Benson's life and the legacy he's leaving behind. A look back at Tom Bensons life and legacy. NOLA.com (@NOLAnews)