Former NFL stars highlight the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class, including a Saints fan favorite. Wide receiver Joe Horn was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Black and Gold in the early 2000s. Chairman of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Doug Ireland says Horn played 12 seasons in the NFL, seven of them in New Orleans.
“Unbelievable story: Learned how to play football from a video tape they rented out of, I believe, a Blockbuster (Video) in North Carolina. Just a fascinating cat,” Ireland recalled.
(Courtesy of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)
14-year NFL veteran Todd McClure is also part of the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class. McClure was an outstanding center in Atlanta, which earned him a place in the Falcons Ring of Honor. Ireland says before the Baton Rouge native became a great NFL player, he was an outstanding athlete at Central High School.
“Two-sport all-state guy in football and baseball and a very good basketball player at Central High School, then a great player at LSU on the offensive line, two-time All-SEC center and All-American at LSU,” Ireland said.
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams joins Horn and McClure in this class. He’s from Monroe and went to Wossman High School. The 2026 class is also highlighted by recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sylvia Fowles, who led the Lady Tigers to four straight Final Four appearances in the mid-2000s. Ireland says she is a winner.
“She won four Olympic gold medals. She won two WNBA championships. She’s on the WNBA’s list of top 25 players of all time in that league. Four Final Fours at LSU,” Ireland said.
Former LSU basketball coach John Brady, former Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy, former Florien girls’ basketball coach Dewain Strother are also inductees, along with former Major Leaguer and Ragin Cajuns star Jonathan Lucroy. LSU baseball legend Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award.
