The New Orleans Saints mourn the loss of longtime, valued press box staff member, Jim Benson, who passed away on Monday at the age of 56.

Benson was a New Orleans native who graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School, and received his Bachelor's and Juris Doctorate degrees from Loyola University New Orleans. Following completion of his studies, he enjoyed a longtime career as a respected attorney, both at firms and in private practice since 2017.

A cousin of late Saints Owner Tom Benson, Jim Benson started working for the Saints on gamedays shortly after Mr. Benson purchased the team in 1985, providing duplication services and statistical sheets and final gamebooks to league and Saints staff and local and national media for 39 years. Passionate about football and the Saints, Benson managed duplication and statistical needs for the home and visiting owner suites and all of the booths, including television and radio broadcast, home and visiting coaches, Saints football operations personnel and several National Football League control booths. Throughout his tenure, Benson consistently exhibited the same high level of professionalism that he brought to his full-time job, serving as a valued resource for Saints staff, NFL staff and local and national media in the press box.

Though he had established a successful career in the legal profession, Benson would say "being an attorney is my profession, but working for the Saints organization is my passion."

Benson is survived by his wife, Yvette and their three children.