Longtime owner Tom Benson . Benson, who was 90 years old, had been battling poor health in recent years and succumbed to a month-long battle with the flu. Benson's wife, Gayle, was Renato Nunez Jersey by his side as he pa sed, and will take over ownership of both the Saints and the 's . Saints Owner Tom Benson, 90, pa sed away peacefully today at Ochsner Medical Center with his wife Gayle Marie Benson at his side New Orleans Saints (@ Richard Bleier Jersey Saints) While many Saints and Pelicans on Thursday, Saints coach Sean Payton took a few days and wrote an , which was published Sunday morning at Sports Illustrated's The MMQB.Payton detailed his long-lasting relationship with Benson, which included morning visits and bits of wisdom like, Retirement speeds your aging, you know. Don't retire. It's the most overrated thing ever." But Payton also made sure to note what Benson had said to him after his team's heartbreaking NFC divisional round lo s to the . The Saints were coming off an excellent season during which they were one Darren O'Day Jersey of the league's most surprising teams, pushing their record from 7-9 to 11-5 and taking home an NFC South title. The Saints had the league's most efficient offense, led by , , , and Zach Britton Jersey , as well as the 's most improved defense. They looked like they were headed to the NFC title game, only for and to pull out a miracle on the final play of the game."Hey Coach, I like this group," Benson told Payton after the game. "Tough lo s John Means Jersey . But I like this group. We're going in the right direction. We'll be OK." Benson is not alone in that opinion. The Saints are widely considered a team on the rise. Over the next few years, we'll get to see if his final postgame me sage to Payton was right.