By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints are set to induct former guard and current offensive assistant Jahri Evans into the team’s Ring of Honor during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. The Saints announced that they would be honoring Evans this offseason after having inducted him into the Saints Hall of Fame last year.
The offensive lineman is one of the best players to ever suit up for the franchise. He started all 169 of his career games with the Saints over his 11 seasons with the team. He was selected to six Pro Bowls and received four First-Team All-Pro nods as well. He was also a one-time Second-Team All-Pro in 2013.
Evans will be honored during the Saints’ “Legends Weekend”, an annual tradition by the team. In attendance will be owner Gayle Benson, the weekend’s Legend of the Game: Hall Of Fame tackle Willie Roaf and several more team franchise standouts.
He will be the eighth player to receive the honor.
The former Saints guard has spent the last two seasons working with the team as an offensive assistant. Evans has worked closely with the offensive line during that time, with a focus on the interior. Current right guard Cesar Ruiz has praised Evans in the past for his contributions to the first-round pick’s development in recent seasons.
So whether on the field or on the coaching staff, Evans has found ways to generate lasting impact with the organization. Now, his influences will be forever memorialized within the walls of the Caesars Superdome among some of the most beloved names in the franchise’s history.
The team again announced the ceremony via press release on Thursday.
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“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,” said Benson. “Jahri was a true professional, a student of the game and a phenomenal teammate. With his excellence along the offensive line, he became a true leader and was a catalyst for some of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. The battles 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 front of our fans in the Caesars Superdome.”
