The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver and kick-off specialist Michael Lewis and defensive lineman Willie Whitehead, the team reported Friday.

Lewis, who joined the Saints in 2000 as a member of the practice squad, played in 63 games and holds team records in kickoff and punt returns.

He was voted to the Pro Bowl and selected to the AP’s All-Pro Team following the 2002 season, in which he set an NFL record for combined return yards (2,432). During that same year, Lewis set team single-season records for kickoff return yardage and punt return yards.

Lewis scored four touchdowns on special teams, three on kickoffs and one on a punt return.

Lewis was a former beer truck driver who eventually became the Saints's star return man. He was wildly popular among fans and his departure merited a statement from team owner Tom Benson.

"Michael is part of the fabric of our community and will always have a special place in the history of our club," Benson said in a news release. "The way he made our team, as a player who worked hard, wasn't drafted, supported his family and followed his dream, is unique and something we're all proud to be a part of."

Whitehead appeared in 105 games since joining the club in 1999, starting 43 of them. He went undrafted and began his professional football career playing in NFL Europe before getting a chance to play with the team.

Whitehead recorded 266 tackles, 24.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries over his career as a Saint.

The Saints also waived rookie Peter Dyakowski, an undrafted free agent out of LSU.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.