Henry Childs, Former Saints TE, Dies at Age 65

Former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl tight end Henry Childs died Friday at the age of 65.

The team announced Childs' death on its official website Saturday, but a cause hasn't yet been revealed.

After news of Childs' death broke, Saints owner Tom Benson released the following statement: "Henry Childs was a key contributor to our offense during his seven years with us and one of the top tight ends in our franchise's history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones from our whole organization during this difficult time."

The Kansas State alumnus spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers, registering 223 career receptions for 3,401 yards and 28 touchdowns. 

Childs was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 1974, but he joined the Saints after playing in just six games for Atlanta and spent parts of seven campaigns in the Big Easy.

He scored a career-high nine touchdowns in 1977, set career marks with 53 receptions for 869 yards in 1978 and made his first and only Pro Bowl in 1979.

According to Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune, that Pro Bowl appearance put Childs in elite company among Saints tight ends:

The Thomasville, Georgia, native never appeared in a playoff game for the Saints, but he was among quarterback Archie Manning's favorite and most trusted targets.

Childs was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1994.