Willie Roaf

Sport: Football

Induction Year: 2009

University: Louisiana Tech

Induction Year: 2009

The mammoth 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle was the first-round pick of the Saints in 1993 (eighth pick overall and first offensive lineman) after a stellar career after developing from a diamond in the rough at Louisiana Tech. Willie Roaf played 13 NFL seasons, the first nine with the Saints and the final four with the Kansas City Chiefs. As one of the top tackles in the game, he was a three-time AP All-Pro first-team pick (1994-95 with the Saints and 2004 with the Chiefs) and six times earned second-team honors. He was chosen to play in 11 Pro Bowls, including a club-record seven with the Saints. Roaf started all 189 NFL games he played in, with 131 of them coming with the Saints. He immediately became the anchor of their offensive line with his excellent size and strength, playing right tackle as a rookie in 1993 and making a seamless move to left tackle the following season to protect the quarterback’s backside. Is considered by many to be the greatest player in Saints’ history.

A three-year starter at Tech, he made numerous All-American teams and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best lineman as a senior when he allowed just one sack. played in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine games before becoming the eighth selection in the 1993 NFL Draft. Many experts consider Roaf the greatest Saints player ever, and he leads the franchise in All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl appearances. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 1990s All-Decade Team.

Other Notable Achievements:

2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame
2014 College Football Hall of Fame