The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday that former guard Jahri Evans will be inducted into the club’s Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony of the team’s contest against the Cleveland Browns on November 17.
“During his 11-year playing career as a Saint, Jahri Evans established himself as one of the greatest Saints of all-time and we are thrilled to add him to the Ring of Honor,” Saints Owner Gayle Benson said.
“Jahri was a true professional, a student of the game and a phenomenal teammate, who led our team and our historic offense with his excellence along the offensive line. The battles that Jahri won up front played a pivotal role in us celebrating some of the most memorable moments in our franchise’s history. We look forward to celebrating his legendary career in November in front of our fans in the Caesars Superdome.”
Evans, 6 feet 4, 318 pounds, was originally a fourth round draft pick (108th overall) of the Saints in 2006 out of Bloomsburg and developed into an anchor for one of the most dominant offenses in NFL history during his tenure with the Saints.
The Philadelphia, Pa., native started all 169 regular season games he played in at right guard and all of the team’s 10 postseason contests during that period, including all three during the 2009 campaign when the Saints captured Super Bowl XLIV. A five-time Associated Press All-Pro (2009-13), Evans was selected first-team four times, twice as much as any other Saint. Evans was selected to six straight Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010’s All-Decade Team. During his 11-year tenure, the Saints were ranked first in the NFL in total offense (net yards per game) six times (2006, 2008-09, 2011, 2014 and 2016) and in scoring (points per game) twice (2008-09). The 274 sacks surrendered by the Saints offensive line from 2006-16 were the lowest total in the NFL over the period and the unit was recognized twice (2009 and 2011) as the winner of the Madden Protector Offensive Line Award. Evans closed out his playing career starting 14 games at right guard for the Green Bay Packers in 2017, finishing with 183 total games played/started. A Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist in 2023 and finalist in 2024, Evans began his coaching career as an offensive assistant for the Saints in 2023.
“From the moment we drafted Jahri Evans in 2006, he was an immediate contributor and integral part of our football team,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “Jahri quickly became a mainstay on our offensive line and was one of the most dominant guards in the National Football League. His contributions throughout the week and on gameday were crucial to our team’s success on offense and as a whole during that time. I have been fortunate to have a chance to be around some Hall of Fame offensive lineman during my NFL front office career and Jahri ranks right in that group. We are extremely proud to have Jahri join the Saints Ring of Honor.”
Overall, Evans is the eighth person from the Saints organization to join the Ring of Honor, joining Owner Tom Benson (2018), kicker Morten Andersen (2016), linebacker Rickey Jackson (2013), quarterback Archie Manning (2013), linebacker Sam Mills (2021), tackle William Roaf (2013) and defensive end Will Smith (2019).
New Orleans Saints Press Release
