Thomas Milton Benson Jr. (July 12, 1927 – March 15, 2018) was an American businessman, philanthropist and sports franchise owner. He was the owner of several automobile dealerships before buying the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) in 1985 and the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2012.
151-569: As a sports team owner, Benson had a Super Bowl victory to his credit, via the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV (2009). As of October 2017, he had a net worth of US$ 2.8 billion according to Forbes . Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana , to Thomas Milton Benson Sr. and Carmen Pintado. After graduating from St. Aloysius in 1944, he went to enlist in the US Navy at the end of World War II in 1945. After
302-563: A land-grant university . During the 1960s a large part of the Farm's land was reallocated for the construction of sorority houses, as a result, many of the fruit breeding programs had to be moved to other parts of the state. In the 1990s a new student recreation center and playing fields were created on the site of most of the remaining land, the remaining research programs were moved to the Burden Research Plantation. Today five acres of
453-549: A "multiyear effort" and not just a one-year deal. He also stated that the NFL was talking with city officials about possibly hosting another Super Bowl there in the near future, which would be the city's 10th. Benson stated that he was committed to New Orleans "forever, as long as the community commits to me". In 1992, Benson made a deal to acquire the Charlotte Knights AA minor league baseball team and bring them to New Orleans for
604-679: A $ 1.25 million investment, with ExxonMobil becoming the Institute's first "strategic partner"-level donor and at least eight other companies having discussed similar deals with LSU, according to a "Partnership Update" that LSU sent to ExxonMobil in August 2023. Records also show that a representative from Shell helped to shape the curriculum of the six courses under the Institute's Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage concentration, as well as representatives from BP , Chevron , ConocoPhillips , and ExxonMobil. Former LSU journalism professor Robert Mann labeled
755-582: A 650-acre (2.6 km ) plateau on the banks of the Mississippi River . Link collaborated with Wilbur Trueblood on the project but remained faithful to the campus the Olmsted firm had designed. Unfortunately, Link died in 1923 before the plan was completed. New Orleans architects Wogan and Bernard completed Link's work and the campus was dedicated on April 30, 1926. Under Huey Long, the governor from 1928 to 1932, LSU "more than doubled its enrollment despite
906-597: A camera and wrenching it down before being eased away by Saints security. A video also appeared to show Benson angrily responding to a heckling fan. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would likely take no action against Benson. On November 11, 2005, an e-mail sent to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue from Benson was leaked to the press. Benson stated in the e-mail that he feared for his life, and his family's safety upon his exit from Tiger Stadium, and would not be returning to any future games in Baton Rouge. Benson declared in
1057-418: A confidentiality agreement, he'd be paid the remainder of his contract; when he refused, he was fired outright. Benson's actions quickly drew outrage from Saints fans as well as local and state officials. On October 19, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin sharply criticized Benson for acts he deemed heartless and opportunistic. Said Nagin: "For them to be openly talking to other cities about moving is disrespectful to
1208-457: A donation by Shell of $ 25 million in 2022, and that LSU's fundraising arm, the LSU Foundation, circulated a boilerplate document offering similar privileges to other companies in exchange for a $ 5 million investment in the Institute. The university also offered "strategic partner"-level privileges, which included voting rights on research activities at the Institute, in exchange for at least
1359-551: A formal commitment to keep the Saints in New Orleans. Said Tagliabue: "The Saints are Louisiana's team and have been since the late '60s when my predecessor Pete Rozelle welcomed them to the league as New Orleans' team and Louisiana's team. Our focus continues to be on having the Saints in Louisiana." He dispelled rumors that have the Saints relocating to Los Angeles. He also suggested that the Saints may need to focus on becoming more of
1510-569: A formal letter asking him and the Saints organization to return to the facility at the end of the 2005 season. Included with the letter were statements from FEMA and the National Guard stating that they were no longer using the facility. On December 30, two days before the Saints' final game of the 2005 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Benson announced at a press conference that the Saints were returning to their Metairie facility at
1661-640: A kickback scheme. Paul M. Hebert , Dean of LSU's law school at the time, then assumed interim presidency in Smith's place. During World War II , LSU was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission. In 1969, mandatory ROTC for freshmen and sophomores was abolished; however, LSU continues to maintain Air Force and Army ROTC. In 1978, LSU
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#17330856081011812-470: A means of creating a food system where locally produced, affordable and nutritious food is available to all, and where the community can come together to share, play, and inspire one another." Although the gardeners are not required to plant certified organic seeds and plants, the Farm requires gardeners to use organic farming methods. Louisiana State University is ranked 185th in the national universities category and 101st among public universities by
1963-587: A native of Abbeville . Caldwell designed twenty-six public buildings in Louisiana. The campus is known for the 1,200 live oak trees that shade the ground of the university. Fifty-seven resources on the LSU campus were listed in the 95 acres (38 ha) Louisiana State University Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1988. Forty-six of the enlisted resources were considered contributing buildings and structures. The campus
2114-465: A non-profit newsroom in New Orleans, found that LSU gave corporations robust powers to review and influence academic research and coursework at the university in exchange for donations. Records show that the university granted Shell a seat on the board of the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, including the right to vote on the Institute's research activities and to review study output, following
2265-519: A record six Super Bowl wins. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have five victories each, while the Packers, Chiefs and New York Giants have four. Fourteen other NFL franchises have won at least one Super Bowl. The Patriots own the record for most Super Bowl appearances with eleven. The Cowboys, Steelers, Broncos and the 49ers are tied for second with eight appearances apiece, reaching that milestone in this respective order. Bill Belichick owns
2416-438: A record with the 1970s Dallas Cowboys for most Super Bowl appearances in a decade with five appearances (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018). The Patriots also had four Super Bowl appearances in five years. They also had eight consecutive AFC championship appearances spanning 2011–2018. The Super Bowls of the 2000s and 2010s are notable for the performances (and the pedigrees) of several of the participating quarterbacks, especially on
2567-576: A regional team, possibly implying a name change to the Louisiana Saints or the Gulf Coast Saints. Tagliabue was to form an eight-owner advisory committee to help decide the team's future. That same day, Benson charged New Orleans news reporter Lee Zurik with a raised hand while leaving Tiger Stadium following a Saints loss to the Miami Dolphins and lunged at the television news crew grabbing
2718-532: A result of federal lawsuit linked to LSU's tennis program, a judge sanctioned the university due to the data of university-issued phones that once belonged to former tennis coaches, Julia and Michael Sell, being deleted after they left the school. Both coaches were accused of failing to act on reports of sexual assaults they received from students which were communicated electronically. An April 2024 investigative report co-published in The Guardian and The Lens ,
2869-494: A score of 28–24. Down by 10, the Patriots mounted a late fourth quarter comeback to win the game with Tom Brady scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. In a key play in the final seconds of the game, then-rookie free agent Malcolm Butler would intercept a pass by Russell Wilson at the one-yard line, allowing the Patriots to run out the clock and end the game. Tom Brady was awarded his third Super Bowl MVP, tying Joe Montana for
3020-406: A true state university emerged. LSU was hit by scandal in 1939 when James Monroe Smith , appointed by Huey Long as president of LSU, was charged with embezzling a half-million dollars. In the ensuing investigation, at least twenty state officials were indicted. Two committed suicide as the scandal enveloped Governor Richard W. Leche , who received a 10-year federal prison sentence as a result of
3171-660: A year later with a 24–7 win over the Minnesota Vikings. In the mid to late 1970s, the Steelers became the first NFL dynasty of the post-merger era by winning four Super Bowls ( IX , X , XIII , and XIV ) in six years. They were led by head coach Chuck Noll , the play of offensive stars Terry Bradshaw , Franco Harris , Lynn Swann , John Stallworth , and Mike Webster , and their dominant " Steel Curtain " defense, led by "Mean" Joe Greene , L. C. Greenwood , Ernie Holmes , Mel Blount , Jack Ham , and Jack Lambert . Many of
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#17330856081013322-574: Is a Library named after Benson's son who died of cancer. On September 23, 2010, Benson donated $ 8 million to Loyola University New Orleans in what will be called the Benson Jesuit Center. In January 2012, Benson and his wife were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their generosity to Catholic Church, the highest papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive. In November 2012 Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle, donated $ 7.5 million towards
3473-622: Is protected by the State Capital Historic District Legislation. The LSU Campus Mounds , which are part of a larger mound group spread throughout the state, are near the northwestern corner of the campus and were built an estimated 5,000 years ago. They were individually enlisted in the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1999. On-campus housing options include on-campus apartments (East Campus Apartments, West Campus Apartments, Edward Gay and Nicholson Gateway Apartments), Annie Boyd Hall, Evangeline Hall,
3624-568: Is the first of an 18-week regular season , followed by three weeks of playoff games and one week for the Pro Bowl . The Super Bowl is contested the week after the Pro Bowl. This schedule has been in effect since an 18th week (and 17th regular season game) were added to the NFL schedule for the 2021 season, with Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, the first to be played under this format. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are tied with
3775-635: The 2009 season was never played. A subsequent AFL team with the same name which played in the early 2010s did so without Benson's involvement. On April 13, 2012, Benson bought the New Orleans Hornets, now known as the New Orleans Pelicans , from the NBA for $ 338 million. In 2017, Benson bought a majority stake in the Dixie Brewing Company from Joe and Kendra Bruno, with plans of returning
3926-406: The 2015 regular season . The following year, the nomenclature returned to Roman numerals for Super Bowl LI , following the 2016 regular season . After the NFL's Green Bay Packers won the first two Super Bowls, some team owners feared for the future of the merger. At the time, many doubted the competitiveness of AFL teams compared with their NFL counterparts, though that perception changed when
4077-717: The American Football Conference (AFC), while the remaining NFL clubs would form the National Football Conference (NFC). The champions of the two conferences would play each other in the Super Bowl. The winning team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy , named after the former coach of the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two Super Bowl games as well as five NFL championships preceding
4228-571: The Denver Broncos of the AFC hold the record for the most defeats in the Super Bowl at five each. The Baltimore Ravens of the AFC and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFC are the only franchises to be undefeated in multiple Super Bowls, having each won two. Among the 12 teams who have not won a Super Bowl, the AFC's Cleveland Browns , Houston Texans , and Jacksonville Jaguars , and the NFC's Detroit Lions are
4379-470: The Great Depression ; its standing had risen to Grade A; dormitories and buildings for departments of music, dramatic arts, and physical education had been completed; other buildings were soon to start, and costs of attendance had been lowered within the reach of many." Nine LSU buildings, including the library and the academic buildings for dairying and physics, were constructed by George A. Caldwell ,
4530-796: The National Science Foundation , the National Endowment for the Humanities , and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . LSU is one of eight universities in the United States with dental, law, veterinary, medical, and Master of Business Administration programs. LSU's athletics department fields teams in 21 varsity sports (nine men's, 12 women's), and is a member of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and
4681-494: The SEC (Southeastern Conference). The university is represented by its mascot, Mike the Tiger . Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College had its origin in several land grants made by the United States government in 1806, 1811, and 1827 for use as a seminary of learning. It was founded as a military academy and is still today steeped in military tradition, giving rise to
Tom Benson - Misplaced Pages Continue
4832-643: The September 11 attacks ; as a result, Super Bowl XXXVI became the first edition of the game played in February. Super Bowl XXXVII was held in January, but all subsequent games were held on the first Sunday in February until the schedule expansion of the 2021 season moved the game to the second Sunday. The current NFL schedule begins on the weekend immediately after Labor Day (the first Monday in September). That weekend
4983-704: The University of Kansas and Oregon State University , respectively. In February 2021, the US Department of Education announced a formal, federal investigation will be conducted on the university's reported mishandling of sexual misconduct cases; specifically on possible violations of the Clery Act . In April 2021, the Department of Education announced the opening of a second federal investigation where LSU's handling of student complaints of sexual assault and harassment from
5134-644: The Wichita Wind Surge . In 1998, Benson was granted a license for a team in the Arena Football League , which finally began play in 2004 as the New Orleans VooDoo . He relinquished ownership of the VooDoo on October 13, 2008, during an owners' teleconference. By this point the entire Arena Football League was in grave financial difficulty and shortly afterward filed for bankruptcy reorganization and
5285-641: The playoffs , being bested by the Tennessee Titans 20–13. That game represented Tom Brady's final game as a New England Patriot. In Super Bowl LV , which took place in Tampa, Florida , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the defending champion Chiefs, 31–9. No player on the Buccaneers who scored points ( Rob Gronkowski , Antonio Brown , Leonard Fournette and Ryan Succop ) was on the Buccaneers' roster
5436-442: The "Super Bowl" moniker was adopted in 1969's Super Bowl III . The first four Super Bowls from 1967 to 1970 were played prior to the merger, with the NFL and AFL each winning two. After the merger in 1970, the 10 AFL teams and three of the NFL teams formed the American Football Conference (AFC) and the remaining 13 NFL teams formed the National Football Conference (NFC). All games since 1971's Super Bowl V have been played between
5587-493: The "big game" or other generic terms by non-sponsoring corporations. The day the game is held is commonly referred to as " Super Bowl Sunday " or simply "Super Sunday". The game was created as part of a 1966 merger agreement between the NFL and the competing American Football League (AFL) to have their 'best' teams compete for a championship. It was originally called the AFL–NFL World Championship Game until
5738-458: The 1980s was the 49ers, which featured the West Coast offense of Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh . This offense was led by three-time Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana , Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice , running back Roger Craig , and Hall of Fame defensive safety/cornerback Ronnie Lott . Under their leadership, the 49ers won four Super Bowls in
5889-603: The 1980s, the Cowboys rose back to prominence in the 1990s. During this decade, the Cowboys made post-season appearances every year except for the seasons of 1990 and 1997. From 1992 to 1996, the Cowboys won their division championship each year. In this same period, the Buffalo Bills had made their mark reaching the Super Bowl for a record four consecutive years, only to lose all four (XXV-XXVIII). After Super Bowl championships by division rivals New York (1990) and Washington (1991),
6040-603: The 1993 season, renaming them the "Pelicans" after New Orleans' old minor league team , but the transaction was thwarted when the Denver Zephyrs AAA team relocated to New Orleans to make way for the major league Colorado Rockies (the team became the New Orleans Zephyrs, and were known the New Orleans Baby Cakes). At the end of the 2019 season, the team relocated to Wichita, Kansas , where they continue as
6191-583: The 2005 and 2006 seasons, respectively defeating the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears . In the 2007 season , the Patriots became the fourth team in NFL history to have a perfect unbeaten and untied regular-season record, the second in the Super Bowl era after the 1972 Miami Dolphins, and the first to finish 16–0. They easily marched through the AFC playoffs and were heavy favorites in Super Bowl XLII . However, they lost that game to Eli Manning and
Tom Benson - Misplaced Pages Continue
6342-428: The 2005 season is over. In reference to Benson, Hardberger said, "I'm pretty comfortable in saying he wants to be here." On October 17, Benson dismissed executive vice president Arnie Fielkow , who had been a public advocate of the Saints' importance to the state of Louisiana, and who had advocated the playing of home games in Baton Rouge. According to Fielkow, Benson told him that if he'd tender his resignation and sign
6493-492: The 2018–2019 academic year to the present will be analyzed. Two months later, seven women filed a federal class-action lawsuit against LSU and its leadership based on their inability to report their incidents to the university's Title IX office. The seven women were six former students (three of whom were part of the women's tennis team at LSU and two of whom were student employees in the football recruiting office) and one current student. In June 2021, football coach Ed Orgeron
6644-452: The 2023 U.S. News & World Report ranking of U.S. colleges. LSU is also ranked as the 192nd best overall university in the nation by Forbes magazine in 2019. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report ranked LSU as the 16th most popular university in the nation among high school students. LSU's main library collection, numbering almost three million volumes, is housed in the Library on
6795-505: The AFC side in repeated appearances by the same teams and players. In particular, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger , or Peyton Manning appeared as the AFC team's quarterback in all but two of the Super Bowls from 2001 through 2018. Conversely, the only NFC teams to make the Super Bowl multiple times with the same quarterback in this era were the Seahawks, led by quarterback Russell Wilson , and
6946-782: The AFL's New York Jets defeated the heavily favored NFL contender Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in Miami. One year later, the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL's Minnesota Vikings 23–7 in Super Bowl IV in New Orleans, which was the final AFL–NFL World Championship Game played before the merger. Beginning with the 1970 season, the NFL realigned into two conferences; the former AFL teams plus three NFL teams (the Baltimore Colts , Pittsburgh Steelers , and Cleveland Browns ) would constitute
7097-608: The AFL–NFL championship game in the merger meetings. Hunt later said the name was likely in his head because his children had been playing with a Super Ball toy; a vintage example of the ball is on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton , Ohio. In a July 25, 1966, letter to NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle , Hunt wrote, "I have kiddingly called it the 'Super Bowl,' which obviously can be improved upon." The leagues' owners chose
7248-799: The Agricultural Residence College, the Engineering Residential College, the Business Residential College, Broussard, Acadian, Beauregard, Blake, Cypress, Herget, Highland, Jackson, LeJeune, McVoy, Miller, Taylor, East Laville, and West Laville. The LSU Museum of Art shares the Shaw Center for the Arts with many cultural partners including the LSU School of Art Gallery, LSU's Laboratory for Creative Arts and Technology,
7399-916: The Benson family gave $ 20 million for cancer care and research. Benson spent his final years in the exclusive Audubon Place neighborhood in New Orleans. His brother, Larry Benson, has also been in sports ownership and owned the San Antonio Riders of the World League. Benson was married three times. His first wife was Shirley Landry who is deceased. On November 18, 2003, his second wife, Grace Marie Trudeau Benson (born March 1, 1927), died of Parkinson's disease. In October 2004, he married Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird . Tom Benson and his first wife Shirley adopted three children: Robert Carter Benson, Renee Benson, and Jeanne Marie Benson. Renee Benson has two adult children, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc . Rita Benson LeBlanc
7550-510: The Benson-led Louisiana Media Company consummated their purchase of WVUE-DT , the Fox affiliate for the New Orleans area and by virtue of their affiliation, the major carrier of Saints games as part of the NFL on Fox contract. Since the sale, the station has also become the de facto home of the Saints, including coach's shows and preseason games. Benson was well known for doing the "Benson Boogie" after Saints home victories. Benson, in true New Orleans fashion, would second line dance down
7701-405: The Chiefs defeated the NFL's Vikings 23–7 in Super Bowl IV . After the AFL–NFL merger was completed in 1970, three franchises—the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins , and Steelers—would go on to dominate the 1970s, winning a combined eight Super Bowls between them in the decade, with the Steelers winning four of the eight. The Baltimore Colts, now a member of the AFC, would start the decade by defeating
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#17330856081017852-411: The Class of 2025 (enrolled fall 2021), LSU received 36,561 applications and accepted 25,907 (70.9%). Of those accepted, 7,045 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 27.2%. LSU's freshman retention rate is 82.9%, with 69% going on to graduate within six years. The enrolled first-year class of 2025 had the following standardized test scores:
8003-406: The Cowboys in Super Bowl V, a game which is notable as being the only Super Bowl to date in which a player from the losing team won the Super Bowl MVP (Cowboys' linebacker Chuck Howley ). Beginning with this Super Bowl, all Super Bowls have served as the NFL's championship game. The Cowboys, coming back from a loss the previous season, won Super Bowl VI over the Dolphins. However, this would be
8154-420: The Cowboys won three of the next four Super Bowls ( XXVII , XXVIII , and XXX ) led by quarterback Troy Aikman , running back Emmitt Smith , and wide receiver Michael Irvin . All three of these players went to the Hall of Fame. The Cowboys' streak was interrupted by the 49ers , who were the first team to win their league-leading fifth title overall with Super Bowl XXIX with a dominant performance featuring
8305-659: The Denver Broncos by a score of 55–10 in Super Bowl XXIV . The 1980s also produced the 1985 Chicago Bears , who posted an 18–1 record under head coach Mike Ditka ; quarterback Jim McMahon ; and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton . Their team won Super Bowl XX in dominant fashion. The Washington Redskins and New York Giants were also top teams of this period; Washington won Super Bowls XVII , XXII , and XXVI . The Giants claimed Super Bowls XXI and XXV . Both teams won multiple Super Bowls with different starting quarterbacks; Washington won with Joe Theismann (XVII), Doug Williams (XXII) and Mark Rypien (XXVI), and
8456-420: The Denver Broncos to an upset victory over the defending champion Packers, snapping the NFC's thirteen-year winning streak. The following year, the Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII , Elway's fifth Super Bowl appearance, his second NFL championship, and his final NFL game. The back-to-back victories heralded a change in momentum in which AFC teams would win nine out of 12 Super Bowls. In
8607-400: The Dolphins' final loss for over a year, as the next year , the Dolphins would go 14–0 in the regular season and eventually win all their playoff games, capped off with a 14–7 victory in Super Bowl VII , becoming the first and only team in the Super Bowl era to finish an entire perfect regular and postseason undefeated. The Dolphins would repeat as league champions by winning Super Bowl VIII
8758-474: The Giants with Phil Simms (XXI) and Jeff Hostetler (XXV). As in the 1970s, the Raiders were the only AFC team to interrupt the Super Bowl dominance of NFC teams; they won Super Bowls XV and XVIII (the latter as the Los Angeles Raiders). Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals (XVI and XXIII), Dolphins, (XVII and XIX), and Broncos (XXI, XXII and XXIV) made multiple Super Bowls in the 1980s without winning one. Following several seasons with poor records in
8909-441: The Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning. One of these teams was featured in the culmination of the 2010 season , Super Bowl XLV , which brought the Packers their fourth Super Bowl victory and record thirteenth NFL championship overall with the defeat of the Steelers in February 2011. This became Aaron Rodgers ' only Super Bowl victory so far. The following year, in Super Bowl XLVI , the Patriots made their first appearance of
9060-433: The Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on campus September 1, 2008, when the Bensons joined with more than 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes to declare the facility ready for action. The stadium is wide enough and long enough that the Cardinals soccer teams, men's and women's, have begun playing their games here. Also in San Antonio, Texas, at St. Anthony Catholic School there
9211-424: The Louisiana Academic Library Information Network Consortium (LALINC). LSU was among the founding members of LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network , which provides access to most academic library catalogs in the state. Its collections of rare books, dating back to the fifteenth century, number more than 80,000 volumes and include the E. A. McIlhenny Natural History Collection, which contains many important works in
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#17330856081019362-418: The MVP award for this game. The Patriots also won Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX defeating the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles respectively. This four-year stretch of Patriot dominance was interrupted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' 48–21 Super Bowl XXXVII victory over the Oakland Raiders. The Steelers and Colts continued the era of AFC dominance by winning Super Bowls XL and XLI in
9513-522: The Manship Theatre, and the Community School for the Arts of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. There is also the LSU Museum of Natural Science, LSU Rural Life Museum, and Louisiana Museum of Natural History on campus. Other Louisiana State University campuses include the LSU Agricultural Center , Pennington Biomedical Research Center , LSU of Alexandria , LSU Shreveport , LSU Eunice , LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport . The University of New Orleans
9664-442: The NFL and Louisiana State University , eventually agreed to play one "home" game at Giants Stadium against the Giants, three games at the Alamodome and four games at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge ). At the Saints-Falcons game on October 16, the second of two warm receptions of the Saints by the San Antonio community, mayor Phil Hardberger stated that Benson had agreed to schedule negotiations for permanent relocation once
9815-415: The NFL on January 14, 1961, to schedule a "World Playoff" game between the two leagues' champions, beginning with the upcoming 1961 season. The first World Playoff game, if actually played, would have matched up the AFL champion Houston Oilers against the NFL champion Green Bay Packers . In the mid-1960s, Lamar Hunt , owner of the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs , first used the term "Super Bowl" to refer to
9966-399: The NFL was in 1932 . In Super Bowl III, the AFL's New York Jets defeated the 19.5-point favorite Baltimore Colts of the NFL, 16–7. The Jets were led by quarterback Joe Namath , who had famously guaranteed a Jets win before the game, and former Colts head coach Weeb Ewbank , and their victory proved that the AFL was the NFL's competitive equal. This was reinforced the following year when
10117-456: The NFL's New Orleans Saints and the NBA's Pelicans, claiming he was "incompetent". Benson released a statement saying that the lawsuit and claims against him by his adoptive daughter and her children were false and meritless. In February 2015, Probate Court Judge Tom Rickhoff named former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger and attorney Art Bayern as co-executors of the testamentary trust of Shirley L. Benson, replacing Benson as trustees of
10268-404: The New York Giants 17–14, leaving the Patriots' 2007 record at 18–1. The following season, the Steelers logged their record sixth Super Bowl title ( XLIII ) in a 27–23, final-minute victory against the Arizona Cardinals . The 2009 season saw the New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by a score of 31–17 to take home their first Championship. With this victory,
10419-404: The Saints joined the New York Jets as the only teams to have won in their sole Super Bowl appearance, a distinction the Ravens also enjoyed in winning Super Bowl XXXV after the 2000 season and the Buccaneers in 2002. In the AFC, this era was dominated by the Patriots, with the only four other teams to represent the conference being the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, and Chiefs. The Patriots had tied
10570-473: The Saints players not to renew their leases on their homes in San Antonio because the league planned to order them to return to their home facilities in Metairie. This was also a few days after Benson had reportedly told his staff that they could not return to their Metairie facilities because they were still being occupied by FEMA and National Guard officials and that the New Orleans area had become "unlivable." The State of Louisiana responded by sending Benson
10721-415: The Saints to their first winning season and playoff appearance. Benson's popularity later declined, however, after numerous attempts to persuade the state of Louisiana to construct a new stadium for the Saints to replace the aging Superdome, suggesting that he might move the team elsewhere if said stadium were not built. His popularity hit an all-time low in late 2005 after it appeared he was trying to move
10872-528: The Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young (who threw a Super Bowl record 6 touchdown passes), Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice , and Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders ; however, the Cowboys' victory in Super Bowl XXX the next year also gave them five titles overall and they did so with Sanders after he won the Super Bowl the previous year with the 49ers. The NFC's winning streak
11023-438: The Super Bowl broadcast is the most expensive of the year because of the high viewership, leading to companies regularly developing their most expensive advertisements for the broadcast and commercial viewership becoming an integral part of the event. The Super Bowl is also the second-largest event for American food consumption, behind Thanksgiving dinner . Since the turn of the 20th century, college football teams from across
11174-515: The Super Bowl era. The Jaguars, who began play in 1995, and the Texans, who began play in 2002, are among the youngest franchises in the league. The Packers won the first two AFL–NFL World Championship Games, later renamed Super Bowls, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders following the 1966 and 1967 seasons, respectively. The Packers were led by quarterback Bart Starr , who
11325-648: The United States have scheduled " bowl games " against each other. The original "bowl game" was the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California , which was first played in 1902 as the "Tournament East–West football game" as part of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses . In 1923, the Tournament East-West football game moved to the new Rose Bowl Stadium ; the stadium got its name from the fact that the game played there
11476-462: The ability of oil companies to vote on research agendas "an egregious violation of academic freedom," and Jane Patton, an LSU alumna and US Fossil Economy Campaign Manager at the Center for International Environmental Law , referred to the practice as "a gross misuse of the public trust.” In response, Brad Ives, the director of LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, defended the partnerships, characterizing
11627-418: The basketball team's ownership insisted they would return to the recovering city as soon as possible. The Hornets also announced a community relations initiative to keep the team involved in the New Orleans area. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met with Benson and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco at the Saints' first home game in Baton Rouge on October 30. After the meeting, he stopped just short of making
11778-406: The best team from each of the two conferences, with the AFC and NFC tied at 27 wins each. Among the NFL's current 32 teams, 20 (11 NFC, nine AFC) have won a Super Bowl and 15 (eight AFC, seven NFC) hold multiple titles. The AFC's Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have the most Super Bowl titles at six each. The Patriots also have the most Super Bowl appearances at 11. The Patriots and
11929-591: The brewing operation to New Orleans within two years. The Benson family established an endowment fund at Central Catholic High School , in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to the memory of their son Robert Carter Benson, who graduated from the school in 1966. Tom Benson also donated the Benson Memorial Library at Central Catholic. Robert Carter Benson died of cancer in 1985, at the age of 37. Benson and his family long have been ardent supporters of University of
12080-493: The citizens of New Orleans, disrespectful to the Saints fans who have hung in with this franchise through 30-something years under very trying times." Two days later, Benson publicly stated that he had made no plans to move the Saints to San Antonio. "There are many factors that will affect the future location of our team", Benson said. "That is also true of many other New Orleans–based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes." He said he would make no decisions about
12231-602: The city—and the availability of the Alamodome as a playing facility—made San Antonio the most common subject of speculation. When it became clear that Hurricane Katrina 's extensive damage to New Orleans and the Superdome would make it impossible for the Saints to play there in 2005, the team temporarily relocated its operations to San Antonio and began negotiations to play home games at the Alamodome. (The Saints, after discussions with
12382-456: The claim that "having corporate funding for research damages the integrity of that research" as being "a little far-fetched," and arguing that what the Institute is doing is no different from similar institutes across the US. The LSU campus sits on 1,000 acres (8.1 km ) just south of downtown Baton Rouge. Most of the university's 250 buildings, most of which were built between 1925 and 1940, occupy
12533-489: The coaches of the two teams, John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh , are brothers. During the third quarter, the Ravens had a commanding 28–6 lead. However, there was a blackout in New Orleans, where the game was being played. The game was delayed for 34 minutes, and after play resumed, San Francisco stormed back with 17 straight points, but still lost. Super Bowl XLVIII , played at New Jersey 's MetLife Stadium in February 2014,
12684-505: The construction of Tulane University 's Yulman Stadium . The stadium, which opened in 2014, brought the Green Wave back to campus for the first time since the demolition of Tulane Stadium in 1980. The playing surface is known as Benson Field. In November 2014, Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio , was renamed "Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium" in recognition of an $ 11 million donation by Tom Benson. In 2015
12835-444: The decade ( XVI , XIX , XXIII , and XXIV ) and made nine playoff appearances between 1981 and 1990, including eight division championships, becoming the second dynasty of the post-merger NFL. The 1984 San Francisco 49ers were the first team to achieve an 18–1 record, doing so under Walsh. The 1989 San Francisco 49ers , under first-year head coach George Seifert , posted the most lop-sided victory in Super Bowl history, defeating
12986-518: The decade, a position where they would become a mainstay. The Patriots, however, lost to the Eli Manning-led Giants, 21–17, who had beaten the Patriots four years before. This was the Giants' fourth Super Bowl victory. In Super Bowl XLVII , the NFC's 49ers were defeated by the Ravens 34–31. The game had been dubbed as the 'Harbaugh Bowl' in the weeks leading up to the game, due to the fact that
13137-634: The decade, making the playoffs in eight straight seasons. Pittsburgh still remains the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice and four Super Bowls in a six-year period. The Steelers' 1970s dynasty was interrupted only by the Raiders' first Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XI and the Cowboys' second Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XII . Conversely, the Vikings, with their Purple People Eaters defense, were
13288-544: The dispute so as to live his remaining time at peace and to relieve himself of a hefty tax burden required on those assets. Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966 , replacing the NFL Championship Game . Since 2022, the game has been played on
13439-475: The dominant team throughout the early 2000s, winning the championship three out of four years early in the decade. They would become only the second team in the history of the NFL to do so (after the 1990s Dallas Cowboys). In Super Bowl XXXVI , first-year starting quarterback Tom Brady led his team to a 20–17 upset victory over the St. Louis Rams , who two seasons earlier won Super Bowl XXXIV . Brady would go on to win
13590-427: The email that security in the stadium was "inadequate" and claimed that his family "could all have been severely injured or killed." However, LSU officials were quick to point out that they had no negative comments from the Saints or the NFL concerning Tiger Stadium security. In addition, the videotape of Benson from October 30 showed him being escorted by at least one security guard, belying his e-mail claim that security
13741-495: The end of the 2005 season, and that the team would play as many of their home games as possible during the 2006 season in the Louisiana Superdome, which he said could be ready as early as mid-September, 2006. On January 11, 2006, Benson and Tagliabue announced plans to play all of their 2006 home games in the Superdome. Tagliabue also stated that the NFL was committed to keeping the Saints in New Orleans beyond 2006, calling it
13892-646: The estate. On June 18, 2015, a judge found him competent. On February 19, 2016, Judge Rickhoff approved the appointment of Renee Benson, Benson's estranged adopted daughter, as administrator of the $ 1 billion Shirley Benson Testamentary Trust, which includes the Lone Star Capital Bank in San Antonio, half of five automobile dealerships, part of a large ranch near Johnson City, Texas , a home at Lake Tahoe , Nevada , an airplane, and cash and other real estate holdings. Benson's attorney said his client, after much wrangling and two weeks of mediation, chose to settle
14043-556: The field of the Superdome in the closing minutes of the game while carrying an umbrella decorated in black and gold. During the Saints' 2001 negotiations with the state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson would seek relocation if his requests—which included renovations to the Superdome, a new practice facility in suburban Metairie , and escalating annual payments from the state to the team—could not be met. Though he never made public statements to this effect, Benson's business ties to
14194-532: The final name change for the university to the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1905, LSU admitted its first female student, R. O. Davis. She was admitted into a program to pursue a master's degree. The following year, 1906, LSU admitted sixteen female students to its freshman class as part of an experimental program. Before this, LSU's student body was all-male. In 1907, LSU's first female graduate, Martha McC. Read,
14345-484: The first Super Bowl to end in overtime, the Atlanta Falcons led 28–3 late in the third quarter, but the Patriots came back to tie the game 28–28 with back-to-back touchdowns and two-point conversions, and the Patriots went on to win 34–28 in overtime. This 25-point deficit was the largest comeback win for any team in a Super Bowl, breaking the previous of a 10-point deficit to come back and win. The Patriots never held
14496-530: The first team to appear four times without a win, while the Buffalo Bills played in a record four consecutive Super Bowls, losing in each. The Patriots and Broncos are tied for the most Super Bowl losses at five. The Cleveland Browns , Detroit Lions , Houston Texans , and Jacksonville Jaguars are the four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, although the Browns and Lions both won NFL championships before
14647-526: The first time in the history of the modern league that a host city's professional football franchise got to play in a Super Bowl that was hosted in their home stadium . Louisiana State University Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College , commonly referred to as LSU ) is an American public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana , United States. The university
14798-435: The future of the franchise immediately. This also allowed the state to focus on more pressing needs in the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita , while allowing the Saints more time to determine whether the region's economy could rebound enough to continue supporting the franchise. In the midst of this controversy, several groups of investors approached Benson with offers to buy the team and keep them in Louisiana,
14949-459: The high-scoring game; while the Eagles would gain 538 yards in the victory. The combined total for both teams of 1,151 yards of offense broke an NFL record (for any game) that had stood for nearly seven decades. The Patriots' 33 points were the highest losing score in Super Bowl history, a record held until 2023, when the Eagles lost Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 38–35. It
15100-535: The institution. These cannons had been captured from Confederate forces after the close of the war and had been used during the initial firing upon Fort Sumter in April 1861. The cannons are still displayed in front of LSU's Military Science/Aerospace Studies Building. The seminary officially reopened its doors on October 2, 1865, only to be burned October 15, 1869. On November 1, 1869, the institution resumed its exercises in Baton Rouge, where it has since remained. In 1870,
15251-628: The lead until the game-winning touchdown in overtime. It was Tom Brady's 5th Super Bowl win and he was awarded his record fourth Super Bowl MVP, throwing a then-record 466 yards for 43 completions. In Super Bowl LII , the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the defending champion Patriots 41–33, ending a 57-year championship drought for the franchise. Nick Foles won the Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots totaled 613 yards in defeat, with Tom Brady breaking his previous Super Bowl record of 466 passing yards with an all-time playoff record of 505 passing yards in
15402-616: The letter, "It is too early to determine, but my desire is to return to New Orleans." Benson's firm but noncommittal stance compared unfavorably to the statements of the then- New Orleans Hornets , the city's displaced NBA team. Though the Hornets played all but a handful of games during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 seasons in Oklahoma City —and even temporarily changed the team's name to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets,
15553-559: The main quadrangle of the university. It is both a general use library and a U.S. Regional Federal Depository Library , housing publications from the federal government, United Nations , and United States Patent and Trademark Office . The LSU Libraries belong to the Association of Research Libraries , which includes the top 127 academic libraries in the U.S. and Canada; the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL); Lyrasis ; and
15704-577: The merger in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967. Following Lombardi's death in September 1970, the trophy was named after him. The first trophy awarded under the new name was presented to the Baltimore Colts following their win in Super Bowl V in Miami. The Super Bowl was held in January from its inception in 1967 until 2001 . In 2002 , a week of regular season games was postponed and rescheduled following
15855-615: The middle 50% range (25th percentile-75th percentile) of SAT scores was 1130–1300, while the middle 50% range of ACT scores was 23–29. The university operates the Louisiana State University Laboratory School , a kindergarten through 12 public school. Hill Farm established in 1927 by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in order to carry out research horticultural crops as part of Louisiana State University's mission as
16006-553: The most Super Bowl MVP awards. In Super Bowl 50 , the first Super Bowl to be branded with Arabic numerals , the Broncos, led by the league's top-ranked defense, defeated the Panthers, who had the league's top-ranked offense, in what became the final game of quarterback Peyton Manning's career. Von Miller dominated, totaling 2.5 sacks and forcing two Cam Newton fumbles; both fumbles leading to Broncos touchdowns. In Super Bowl LI ,
16157-460: The most publicized group being one led by Fox Sports analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw , who is a Louisiana native. However, Benson expressed then and since that he had no intentions of selling the team and planned eventually to hand down ownership to his granddaughter, Saints owner/executive Rita Benson LeBlanc . Benson spoke to press following an NFL owners' meeting on November 15, 2005, at which he reiterated that
16308-707: The name "AFL–NFL Championship Game", but in July 1966 the Kansas City Star quoted Hunt in discussing "the Super Bowl—that's my term for the championship game between the two leagues", and the media immediately began using the term. Although the league stated in 1967 that "not many people like it", asking for suggestions and considering alternatives such as "Merger Bowl" and "The Game" , the Associated Press reported that "Super Bowl" "grew and grew and grew—until it reached
16459-513: The name of the institution was officially changed to Louisiana State University. Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College was established by an act of the legislature, approved April 7, 1874, to carry out the United States Morrill Act of 1862 , granting lands for this purpose. It temporarily opened in New Orleans, June 1, 1874, where it remained until it merged with Louisiana State University in 1877. This prompted
16610-555: The only four to have not appeared in the game. The Super Bowl is among the world's most-watched single sporting events and frequently commands the largest audience among all American broadcasts during the year. It is second only to the UEFA Champions League final as the most watched annual club sporting event worldwide, and the seven most-watched broadcasts in American television history are Super Bowls. Commercial airtime during
16761-425: The only other team to appear in multiple Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX and XI) during the decade but failed to win each one. In the 1980s and 1990s, the tables turned for the AFC, as the NFC dominated the Super Bowls of the new decade and most of those in the 1990s. The NFC won 16 of the 20 Super Bowls during these two decades, including 13 straight from Super Bowl XIX to Super Bowl XXXI . The most successful team of
16912-455: The original Hill Farm remain and used primarily as an agriculture teaching facility and community garden . Individual garden plots are nine by five feet (9' × 5') and may be rented by students, faculty, and the community at large. The price per lot has been deliberately kept low to support the Farm's mission to "provide access to gardening space, education, and resources necessary for the community to grow food in environmentally sustainable ways as
17063-492: The owner of several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas. Benson became wealthy by investing profits from his automobile dealerships in local banks. He eventually purchased several small Southern banks and formed Benson Financial, which he sold to Norwest Corporation in 1996. Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he learned from Governor Edwin W. Edwards that
17214-438: The point that there was Super Week, Super Sunday, Super Teams, Super Players, ad infinitum". "Super Bowl" became official beginning with the third annual game. Roman numerals are used to identify each Super Bowl, rather than the year in which it is held, since the fifth edition, in January 1971. The sole exception to this naming convention tradition occurred with Super Bowl 50 , which was played on February 7, 2016, following
17365-400: The previous season. This marked a record seventh Super Bowl victory for Tom Brady , also more than any individual NFL franchise, and who would also break his own record for the oldest quarterback to win a championship at 43 years old. Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians would also break Bill Belichick 's record for the oldest head coach to win a championship at 68. Super Bowl LV also marked
17516-499: The quarters of the Institute for the Deaf, Mute, and Blind. Land for the present campus was purchased in 1918, construction started in 1922, and the move began in 1925; however, the move was not completed until 1932. The campus was originally designed for 3000 students but was cut back due to budget problems. After years of enrollment fluctuation, student numbers began a steady increase, new programs were added, curricula and faculty expanded, and
17667-426: The record for the most Super Bowl wins (eight) and appearances (twelve: nine times as head coach, once as assistant head coach, and twice as defensive coordinator) by an individual. Tom Brady has the most Super Bowl starts (ten) and wins as a player (seven), while Charles Haley has the second-most wins among players with five. Eight teams have appeared in Super Bowl games without a win. The Minnesota Vikings were
17818-531: The report. Husch Blackwell released a 262-page report in March 2021 confirming the USA Today story, adding that the problems within LSU went far beyond the allegations detailed in the investigation, with many of the problems being widespread across the university. In the fallout of the report, former LSU Tigers football coach Les Miles and former LSU president F. King Alexander were forced to resign from their jobs at
17969-724: The school's nickname "The Ole War Skule". In 1853, the Louisiana General Assembly established the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana near Pineville in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana . Modeled initially after Virginia Military Institute , the institution opened with five professors and nineteen cadets on January 2, 1860, with Major, later Colonel, William Tecumseh Sherman as superintendent. The Old LSU Site ,
18120-621: The school's original location, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On January 26, 1861, when Louisiana became the fifth state to secede from the Union, Sherman resigned his position after only a year as Superintendent to return north and eventually resume his service in the Union Army . The school closed on June 30, 1861, after the start of the American Civil War . During
18271-420: The second Sunday in February. Prior Super Bowls were played on Sundays in early to mid-January from 1967 to 1978, late January from 1979 to 2003, and the first Sunday of February from 2004 to 2021. Winning teams are awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy , named after the eponymous coach who won the first two Super Bowls. Because the NFL restricts the use of its "Super Bowl" trademark, it is frequently referred to as
18422-693: The shares of Saints and Pelicans stock owned by his daughter and grandchildren, with assets of equivalent value. Benson argued he did so by canceling millions of dollars' worth of debt and turning over $ 500 million in promissory notes due in about 25 years, but trust officials disagreed. The case was settled in 2017. Benson was hospitalized on February 16, 2018, with the flu. Almost a month later, he died on March 15, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana, at age 90. In January 2015, after Tom Benson announced that he had cut his estranged adopted daughter Renee Benson and her adult children out of his will, he
18573-565: The state of Louisiana , as well as the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System . In 2021, the university enrolled over 28,000 undergraduate and more than 4,500 graduate students in 14 schools and colleges. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". LSU operates some 800 sponsored research projects funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health ,
18724-457: The team is not for sale, but also stated that other NFL owners, along with Tagliabue, were working with him to keep the team in New Orleans. On December 17, ESPN reported that Benson had told Saints players that he planned to keep the Saints in San Antonio for the 2006 season and possibly beyond, and that he was willing to sue the NFL for the right to stay there. This was days after NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw advised
18875-597: The team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. (See Saints relocation controversy below for more details.) He later stated that the Saints would return to New Orleans for the 2006 season, which they did. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in the years after their return , including a 31–17 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, to win Super Bowl XLIV , and Benson recovered much of his popularity as well. On July 18, 2008,
19026-437: The team was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in moving the team to Jacksonville, Florida . Ownership of the team was officially transferred to him on May 31, 1985, with his intent that the team would stay in New Orleans. Shortly after acquiring the Saints, Benson gained a reputation as one of the more popular and colorful owners in the league. He hired general manager Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora , who led
19177-429: The team with the lowest point total by a winning team in Super Bowl history. Tom Brady would receive a record sixth Super Bowl championship, the most of any player in NFL history, surpassing his tie with Charles Haley for five wins. Brady would also become the oldest player to ever win a Super Bowl at age 41, while Bill Belichick would be the oldest coach to ever win a Super Bowl at age 66. Wide receiver Julian Edelman
19328-405: The team's Superdome lease until after the 2006 season. Benson extended his force majeure clause period until January 2007. Presumably that stood to keep the Saints in New Orleans until January 2007; however, Benson could still have invoked the clause any time prior to then. This seemingly bought the Saints time to explore future options with state officials without having had to make a decision on
19479-419: The team's future until the 2005 season was over. On October 26, Benson reiterated his commitment to the New Orleans area in the form of a full-page ad in newspapers around the region. The ad, a letter entitled "Tom Benson Wants to Return to New Orleans", acknowledged the negative reaction surrounding the team's recent actions, but promised that no decision has been made regarding the team's future. Said Benson in
19630-492: The team's key players were selected in the 1974 draft , in which Pittsburgh selected four future Hall of Famers, the most for any team in any sport in a single draft. A fifth player, Donnie Shell , was signed by Pittsburgh after going unselected in the 1974 NFL Draft; he too was later enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The Steelers were the first team to win three and then four Super Bowls and appeared in six AFC Championship Games during
19781-568: The time the first Super Bowl was played, the term "bowl" for any major American football game was well established. For four decades after its 1920 inception, the NFL successfully fended off several rival leagues. In 1960, it encountered its most serious competitor when the American Football League (AFL) was formed. The AFL vied with the NFL for players and fans. After the AFL's inaugural season , AFL commissioner Joe Foss sent an invitation to
19932-491: The university had violated Louisiana's whistleblower law, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, and Title IX as Lewis was fired in retaliation for her lawsuit. In July 2022, the trial date for Lewis' lawsuit was scheduled for May 22, 2023, while the joint lawsuit filed by the LSU students was scheduled for June 26, 2023. In December 2023, a federal jury dismissed all the claims in Lewis' lawsuit. In October 2023, as
20083-400: The war ended, he went to study accounting at Loyola University New Orleans before dropping out in 1948. He then went to work as a car salesman at Cathey Chevrolet in New Orleans. In 1956, he moved to San Antonio to try and revive a poorly performing dealership; he was granted a 25 percent interest in the dealership for his efforts. In 1962, he became full owner of Tom Benson Chevrolet. He was
20234-578: The war, the university reopened briefly in April 1863 but was closed once again during the Union Army's Red River Campaign . The losses sustained by the institution during the Union occupation were heavy, and after 1863 the seminary remained closed for the remainder of the Civil War . Following the surrender of the Confederates at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, General Sherman donated two cannons to
20385-414: The years between 1995 and 2018, five teams—the Steelers, Patriots, Broncos, Baltimore Ravens , and Indianapolis Colts —accounted for 22 of the 24 AFC Super Bowl appearances (including the last 16), with those same teams often meeting each other earlier in the playoffs. In contrast, the NFC saw a different representative in the Super Bowl every season from 2001 through 2010. The New England Patriots became
20536-509: Was "non-existent." A day later, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel stated that Benson's e-mail was sent in frustration, and that Benson was undecided on whether he would attend any future games in Baton Rouge. Benson did not attend the following week's game at Tiger Stadium on November 6 against the Chicago Bears . On November 4, 2005, Benson made a deal with Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco that would postpone two important termination deadlines in
20687-478: Was Saints owner and executive vice president until Tom Benson fired her, her brother Ryan and her mother Renee, and wrote them out of his will. She, along with her mother Renee and brother Ryan LeBlanc, then sued Tom Benson claiming he was incompetent and for control of his companies. Benson's only living child, as of January 2015, is Renee. All of Benson's property had in fact been put into a family trust whose governing terms, while undisclosed, required him to replace
20838-554: Was a member of Louisiana State University from 1958 until 1963 as LSUNO and under its own name from 1974 until 2011, when it was transferred to the University of Louisiana System by the Louisiana Legislature. LSU owns and operates the J. Bennett Johnston Sr. Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD), which is a 1.3 GeV synchrotron radiation facility. The 2022 annual ranking of U.S. News & World Report categorizes LSU-Baton Rouge as "more selective". For
20989-556: Was added as a defendant to the Title IX lawsuit, alleging that Orgeron was aware of and failed to report the rape allegation of former running back Derrius Guice . LSU's Assistant Athletic Director of Football Recruiting and Alumni Relations, Sharon Lewis, also filed a $ 50 million federal lawsuit against the university for years of harassment for her attempts to report sexual misconduct allegations against players, coaches, and athletic officials. In January 2022, Lewis' legal team alleged that
21140-407: Was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree. After this two year experimental program, the university fully opened its doors to female applicants in 1908, and thus coeducation was born at LSU. On April 30, 1926, the present LSU campus was formally dedicated, following the school's history at the federal garrison grounds (now the site of the state capitol) where it had been since 1886. Before this, LSU used
21291-477: Was continued by the Packers led by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre , won Super Bowl XXXI , their first championship since Super Bowl II in 1967. The Patriots made their maiden Super Bowl appearances in XX (1985) and XXXI (1996) but lost both times. However, the turn of the century would soon bring hope and glory to the franchise. Super Bowl XXXII saw quarterback John Elway and running back Terrell Davis lead
21442-531: Was converted into a fully functional field hospital, with approximately 3,000 student volunteers. In 2013, F. King Alexander was named President of Louisiana State University. In fall 2020, LSU broke its record for the most diverse and largest freshman class in history. Of the record 6,690 freshmen, more than 30% identified as students of color , African-Americans made up the most at 16.8%. Additionally, LSU reached its all-time highest enrollment at 34,290 undergraduate and graduate students. William F. Tate IV
21593-417: Was founded in 1860 near Pineville, Louisiana , under the name Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy . The current LSU main campus was dedicated in 1926 and consists of more than 250 buildings constructed in the style of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio , occupying a 650-acre (260 ha) plateau on the banks of the Mississippi River . LSU is the flagship university of
21744-521: Was named Super Bowl MVP. In Super Bowl LIV , the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in a comeback, 31–20, for their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. This victory marked the first time since 1991 that the NFC did not have more Super Bowl victories than the AFC. Notable was the absence of the Patriots, who after making it to the Super Bowl the last three years and winning two of them, had lost in the Wild Card round of
21895-569: Was named a sea-grant college, the 13th university in the nation to be so designated. In 1992, the LSU Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the LSU Honors College . After Hurricane Katrina , LSU accepted 2,300 displaced students from schools in the greater New Orleans area such as Tulane University , Loyola University New Orleans , Xavier University of Louisiana , and the University of New Orleans . The Pete Maravich Assembly Center
22046-581: Was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for both games. These two championships, coupled with the Packers' NFL championships in 1961 , 1962 , and 1965 , amount to the most successful stretch in NFL History; five championships in seven years, and the second threepeat in NFL history (1965, 1966, and 1967). The Packers are the only team to threepeat, as they also accomplished the feat in the pre-playoff era (1929, 1930 and 1931). The first playoff game in
22197-497: Was named the new president of the university on May 6, 2021, effective in July. He is the first African-American president in LSU's history and the first African-American president in the SEC. A November 2020 investigative report in USA Today accused LSU of mishandling sexual misconduct claims against LSU football players. LSU hired Husch Blackwell LLP to review policies in response to
22348-887: Was part of the Tournament of Roses and that it was shaped like a bowl, much like the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut . The Tournament of Roses football game thus eventually came to be known as the Rose Bowl Game. Exploiting the Rose Bowl Game's popularity, post-season college football contests were created for Miami (the Orange Bowl ), New Orleans (the Sugar Bowl ), and El Paso (the Sun Bowl ) in 1935, and for Dallas (the Cotton Bowl ) in 1937. By
22499-544: Was sued by Renee and Renee's two children, Rita LeBlanc (also known as Rita Benson LeBlanc) and Ryan LeBlanc of Texas . One of Renee, Rita and Ryan's complaints in the lawsuit is "Upon information and belief, under the apparent supervision of Gayle, the diet of Tom Benson has drastically deteriorated, with him rarely consuming full, nutritious meals, but instead, for some reason, subsisting on candy, ice cream, sodas, and red wine." Renee Benson, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc are suing for control of Tom Benson's companies including
22650-425: Was the Eagles' third Super Bowl appearance and their first win in franchise history. With the Eagles' victory, the NFC East became the first division to have each team win at least one Super Bowl. While Super Bowl LII produced the second highest-scoring Super Bowl, the following year's Super Bowl LIII became the lowest-scoring Super Bowl. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams , 13–3. In so doing, they became
22801-410: Was the first Super Bowl held outdoors in a cold-weather environment. The Seahawks won their first NFL title with a 43–8 defeat of the Broncos, in a highly touted matchup that pitted Seattle's top-ranked defense against a Peyton Manning-led Denver offense that had broken the NFL's single-season scoring record. In Super Bowl XLIX , the Patriots beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks, by
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