Jackson to receive HOF ring tonight

Rickey Jackson, the first long-time player from the New Orleans Saints to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will receive his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of the team’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on tonight.

{GALLERY}The ring is one of three iconic symbols of Jackson’s election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two symbols are the gold Hall of Fame jacket and his bronze bust.  Jackson received his gold jacket at the annual Enshrinees Dinner held in Canton on the eve of his induction. His bronze bust was unveiled at the Enshrinement ceremony held on August 7. The Hall of Fame ring will be presented to him by Hall of Fame President/Executive Director Steve Perry during a special halftime presentation.

“Presenting Rickey his ring at the Superdome allows Saints fans to pay tribute to him for all that he brought to the franchise during his memorable career,” commented Perry.

All three of the iconic symbols representing Jackson’s enshrinement will be evident during Thursday’s presentation. Jackson will wear his gold jacket and his bronze bust will be on display during the ceremony. It marks a rare time that a bronze bust is showcased outside of the Hall of Fame in Canton.

Jackson played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Saints who drafted him in the 2nd round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He was named first-team All-Pro four times and elected to six Pro Bowls. With his enshrinement last month, he is now one of just 260 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.