While at Tulane Ray Hester lettered three years and helped lead Tulane to the Liberty Bowl. It marked the first bowl appearance for Tulane Since 1940. Hester was runner-up for UPI National Lineman of the week for effort against Georgia Tech in 1969. Credited with being a player with much talent, experience as a leader and desire. Hester joined the saints as a free agent in 1971 and stayed with the club as a linebacker and headhunter on the specialty teams.