New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Benson is okay after he took a fall Tuesday. “Following my presentation, I accidentally tripped, and hit my head, having had knee surgery just over a week ago,” Benson said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Out of an abundance of caution the doctors wanted to clear me before we fly back home tonight”. “The fall was immediately after he spoke to the ownership,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “As he was turning, he just lost his balance and fell. Fortunately, he appears to be fine. I think it was a precautionary step to take him to the hospital. Our thoughts are with Tom Benson’s family right now. The initial reaction looks very positive. I spoke to him in the back before he left.”Benson who is 86 was fine before the fall. He had surgery a few weeks ago and was walking with a walker before the incident had happened. Benson and his organization was in talks with being the host for the Super Bowl in 2018, but was runner up behind Minnesota. They were the favorite to actually win, but had lucked out. Different reactions from different individuals had followed as well; “We prepared to win this,” said Super Bowl presenter Rod West, who is the CAO of Entergy. “We knew what we were up against with the presumptions for public money and the weight that it holds. So yeah, this is a shock. You don’t have a next weekend to come back. That’s the tough part. You have to wait a couple of years before you can bid again.”
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said in a statement “I know Louisiana’s team, including the Saints organization, did an excellent job presenting New Orleans’ bid to the NFL. Having never lost a Super Bowl bid, this is uncharted territory for us. It’s very disappointing, particularly given the popularity of New Orleans as a destination and a major sports event host city. Super Bowl LII would have been a perfect kickoff for New Orleans’ tricentennial year but I have every expectation that Louisiana will continue to be among the most sought-after destinations for major events, including future Super Bowls.”
