The Mark Romig Show

Behind the Scenes at Saints Media Day 2026 | Travis Etienne, Kaden Elliss, David Edwards & More

• LOVE NOLA TV • Season 1 • Episode 21

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This week on The Mark Romig Show, we’re on location at the 2026 New Orleans Saints Media Day for a special behind-the-scenes episode with the Black and Gold.

Mark sits down with several members of the Saints organization as the team prepares for training camp and the upcoming NFL season. Featured guests include Travis Etienne, David Edwards, Kaden Elliss, Jonas Sanker, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jamie Meeks, the Saints’ Director of Sports Nutrition.

The conversations cover everything from the excitement building inside the Saints locker room to life in New Orleans, the energy of the Caesars Superdome, training camp preparation, team chemistry, Louisiana food, and what it takes to fuel an NFL roster.

Travis Etienne talks about preparing for the New Orleans heat, seafood gumbo, red beans, and life as a father to his son, Saint. David Edwards shares why he and his family chose New Orleans and how the Saints’ facilities and culture have made an immediate impression. Ja’Lynn Polk discusses playing inside the Superdome, building chemistry with Tyler Shough, and his love for fresh Louisiana redfish.

Kaden Elliss reflects on returning to the Black and Gold, what he learned during his time in Atlanta, and the authentic belief he feels inside the Saints locker room. Jonas Sanker talks about entering his second season, giving back in the community, and the passion of Saints fans. Jamie Meeks gives us a fascinating look at Saints nutrition, hydration, recovery, and how Louisiana favorites like gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, crawfish, and po-boys fit into life at the facility.

Plus, April Dupre shares what’s happening around the city in This Week in New Orleans, including Juneteenth events, Black-owned restaurants and bars, Father’s Day ideas, museums, parks, and local experiences.

Mark closes the episode with a special Positively New Orleans Father’s Day reflection honoring fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures.

Special thanks to the New Orleans Saints organization for inviting The Mark Romig Show to be part of Saints Media Day.

Featured guests:
Travis Etienne
David Edwards
Ja’Lynn Polk
Kaden Elliss
Jonas Sanker
Jamie Meeks, Director of Sports Nutrition, New Orleans Saints

Sponsors:
Blue Runner Foods
New Orleans & Company
Visit The Northshore
All The Waves Podcast

The Mark Romig Show is produced by LOVE NOLA TV, the official tourism and visitor information channel of New Orleans, seen in thousands of downtown hotel rooms and locally across all major digital platforms.

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 📍 Filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana

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 For the love of New Orleans.

SPEAKER_03

We really took our time to study what New Orleans was and the people involved, and it was a no-brainer for us.

SPEAKER_07

So we'll say touchdown eight chain. Does that sound good?

SPEAKER_08

That sounds great. We're at New Orleans Saints Media Day, when the team creates much of the content fans will see throughout the season, from player videos shown on the Superdome Jumbotron to footage used by television partners, including Fox, CVS, and ESPN. Nearly 90 Saints players rotate through 17 different production stations, filming, posing, and recording content for the season ahead. We're especially grateful to the Saints organization for inviting the Mark Romick show to be part of it and giving us this behind the scenes access. I'm excited, so let's get started. Travis, I cannot wait to see you on the field this year. You excited? Oh, yes, sir. I can't wait to be on the field this year. Yeah, we can't wait to see you on that field. Now you're used to being a national champion, right? Clemson? Yes, sir. What was that like? Tell us about that year.

SPEAKER_00

Uh no, uh, that year, it was an amazing year. I feel like uh that year, I feel like was a testament just uh to all the hard work and uh the foundation that Coach Winney set before us. And uh it kind of just showed me that uh the hard work never goes unnoticed. And if you do things the right way, if you build a foundation, you can sustain that throughout any level of uh sports.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, and you bring in that experience as well as the enthusiasm. Obviously, you've got a lot of passion here to the Saints. Uh what do you sense about this year now going into this uh first year for you?

SPEAKER_00

Uh what I sense, I just sense a lot of hunger from everyone around me, you know, and I feel like it starts with Tyler. I feel like he he he's hungry, you know, and they say hungry dogs run faster. And I feel like when you got a leader who wants it, it's easy to get around that. And I feel like we're here to make his job easier. So uh he's gonna lead us and we're ready to uh get behind him with whatever.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. So talk to us about your preparation now. We're about a month or so, a little bit more than a month, away from training camp. So, what are you doing now to keep preparing yourself for uh for play?

SPEAKER_00

Uh for me, this year's gonna be a little different. Um, I'm definitely gonna stay out here and uh try to get used to the sun. So uh for me, I'm just trying to do a lot of a lot of running, a lot of building my stamina up. Yeah. Uh just outside uh you got a bunch of levees around here, so just trying to hit those and just kind of work on cardio because I feel like that's gonna be the biggest thing uh with this weather and with training camp coming ahead. So I gotta be ready and uh be able to withstand that sun.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, that's a good uh good point. Uh I mean it's a great place to practice. Uh the facilities here are second to none. Uh would you agree with that?

SPEAKER_00

Uh yes, sir. Facilities are amazing, and I feel like uh and and that's part of the reason I'm gonna stay here because they they give us everything, you know. Uh we have everything we need here, so I don't need to go anywhere else, uh try to train. So I'm gonna just train here, get my house ready uh for the season, and uh so that way when everything starts rolling around, I'm not I'm not still trying to make things happen. I already have everything done, have my foundation set, and it'll be smooth selling for me.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. Can you uh speak to uh the meals that you get here?

SPEAKER_00

Uh no, the meals are amazing. The meals are wonderful. I feel like the meals are too good sometimes, you know.

SPEAKER_07

Uh you have a favorite uh dish?

SPEAKER_00

Uh my favorite dish, uh uh I would say the salmon. The salmon has been really great, but uh every Friday they have gumbo in there. Oh well. So uh I would say Fridays, I I look forward to Fridays. Is that a chicken or seafood? Seafood. Seafood gumbo. Seafood. So I look forward to Friday because of seafood gumbo. Yeah. And they they have some red beans too now. So we have some red beans in there. So we have everything. They give you everything, it's variety. Uh, you don't get tired of the food, they're always missing and matching. It's just more so I gotta just watch what I eat day-to-day basis.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, in your case, are you trying to put weight on or you're trying to uh what are you what are you doing? What is your like uh objective in your nutrition?

SPEAKER_00

I definitely not trying to put weight on. Uh I like to be lean and fast. So uh my objective is really just to um just to be lean, cut, and watch what I eat. Not too many fats, not too many breads, just stuff like that, and watch what I put in my body. And it's more so just the amount uh more than than what it is, really, but yeah, I have to watch what it is too because uh it's it's easier whenever you're at the facility and they're feeding you, but it's whenever you get away from the facility and I got my mom down the road, she's cooking.

SPEAKER_07

I was about to ask growing up in Jennings, uh, you know, I'm sure you ate very well in Jennings.

SPEAKER_00

Oh yes, sir. I I I ate very well. I really didn't understand how much my diet, um, how much how important my diet was until I went off to college. And uh that's when I kind of understood, because like it was a time where I came back from college. I want to say like the first break I got, I gained 10 pounds just from eating red beans and rice, crawfish, just wherever my mom will cook, I'm putting my hands on. So I had to learn that through time and just also my body aging, getting older, and understanding how much the diet really, really helps cheat the other processes and uh things.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. So um understand you've been to Parkway. Uh you've got a favorite poor boy there.

SPEAKER_00

Uh so uh I want to chat try to James Brown. So when I went, I didn't try to James Brown, but they told me to go back and try to James Brown. So I'm definitely gonna put that on my to-do list.

SPEAKER_08

All right, I'm sure Justin Kennedy is watching the show, uh, the manager of Parkway, so I'm sure he'll have that ready for you when you get there.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, sir. Not needed.

SPEAKER_08

Now tell us about you've got a baby named Saint?

SPEAKER_00

Uh yes, sir. I have a son named Saint. And he's uh how old? He's one year old. He turned one April 3rd, so uh he's like 15 months now.

SPEAKER_08

How's he doing?

SPEAKER_00

Uh he's doing great. He's doing great. I was with him uh yesterday because he's still in Jacksonville right now. Uh hopefully they get here real soon. I'm uh still finishing up the uh the crib and everything, but uh I feel like every day is just is it's very different just being a father. And uh whenever I call off FaceTime, he's finally starting to understand how to hold the phone, how to like yell at me through the phone or talk to me, stuff like that. So I feel like that's amazing. Then whenever I get to see him, I feel like he's always just growing. Yeah, he's always growing. Inspiration behind the name Saint? So uh uh I feel like it was a coincidence, honestly. So uh I actually named my son Saint before I even was um before free agency ever started. So whenever that kind of just tied into each other, uh it was kind of just I feel like it was meant to be, you know? Yeah. So um I'm just grateful that it all happened that way.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, well Travis, we're gonna be announcing your name correctly. A chain. Travis A-Chain, but tell us, you know, there were a lot of people who were who are going with the other pronunciation. What what happened there? What was the uh emphasis of that?

SPEAKER_00

So uh it it started when I left uh left for college, uh, my freshman year of college. I would say like that whole summer, really that whole first year, I would tell them how to pr uh pronounce my name the correct way. And um I want to say it was like after a game, I kind of just got in. I scored I ran like an 80-yard touchdown, and they was like run ETN, and then after that, it kind of just took off and nobody was hearing what I was saying no more, really.

SPEAKER_07

So we'll say touchdown eight chain. Does that sound good?

SPEAKER_00

That sounds great. All right, so we'll it'll we'll do that as armor. You remind me of the other as we can.

SPEAKER_08

I said we'll we'll do that a lot. Thank you. Well, thank you for being with us today. I appreciate it, and we wish you all the best uh this coming season and uh look forward to talking with you again.

SPEAKER_00

Uh yes, sir. Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_08

All right, ladies and gentlemen, we are here with veteran offensive lineman David Edwards. New to the Saints, but not new to football. David, welcome. Good to see you. Great to see you. Thanks for having me on. Oh, it's great to um to have you here at the Media Day for the New Orleans Saints. You are bringing a championship play to the New Orleans Saints. Um you were with the Los Angeles Rams and then of course with the Buffalo Bills. What's it like being in New Orleans now? I mean, you've chosen New Orleans, which we deeply appreciate. Yeah, it's been amazing.

SPEAKER_03

Um when we were going through the free agent process, um, really for the first time like this, um, New Orleans was uh a team that we circled. We were really excited about the about the potential of them being in the mix and and for them to be in the mix was a dream come true. So we're really excited.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, I was reading about your study of the Saints and the the coaching staff and the the sense of um enthusiasm that that came off of our last uh season. All that goes into your uh conversation about your decision, right?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I I think that um one of the cool things that um we did, my wife and I did, was we actually built like a spreadsheet and and uh um tried to like put numbers to certain things that we thought were important, and um whether that was you know Buffalo, New Orleans, and and other teams, and and New Orleans was one. And so um, and that was you know, coaching staff, roster, um, city, um, you know, life for our kids, etc. So um we really took our time to study what New Orleans was and and the people involved, and um it was a no-brainer for us. Yeah, let's talk about let's talk about the city for a moment.

SPEAKER_08

Your initial impressions of New Orleans, um you know our our sort of our enthusiasm we have for the New Orleans Saints the the fan base here that played into your decision.

SPEAKER_03

Of course, yeah. The the passion for the fans, and I've said this before, um when you have a a fan base that really is invested in the team and the organization, um whether you're playing at home or on the road, it it feels like you have the wind at your back when you're playing. Um and I definitely feel that, you know, being here for such a short amount of time, the passion and the the love that the city and these fans have for the team and the organization.

SPEAKER_08

We cannot wait for you to step onto that Superdome field for the first time and and and experience what we all know happens, uh that uh Caesar Superdome comes alive. Yeah. And I've probab uh you've probably heard about it. Absolutely, I have. Yeah, yeah. Um you made a decision recently that in the locker room you wanted to be next to a particular player. Can you give us the what what into that uh decision?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, so on uh when I signed here and was here for the first time, you know, they give you the tour and you know, you're wowed by you know the facilities and the and the practice field, the weight room, etc. But I was in the locker room and I noticed that Tyler Shuck and Spencer Rattler had a an open locker between them. And um I just figured what a great way to to try to get to know Tyler and all the other quarterbacks um um in a real organic, authentic way by just being in the locker room next to him. So that I I asked if if I could if I could have that locker, and they said yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Well, you know, it's interesting because your job is to also protect people that position. So being that close to the players that uh that play that pivotal role, it it makes sense. It just makes perfect sense.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I just felt like it was important that that um we all have you know, we all spend a ton of time together as an O-line or as a D-line or whatever the position group is, and to be able to connect with guys outside of your position group, um, specifically the quarterbacks, I think is really important, but it just builds a a tighter knit group, tighter team, and I just think that leads to leads to more success on the field um by doing little things like that off.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. Um you mentioned the facilities, uh, and part of your uh understanding of why the Saints would be a a good home for you. Um but and I maybe it's difficult to compare to what you experience at LA or in Buffalo, but how do our facilities compare to uh other NFL facilities?

SPEAKER_03

I think that that the Saints have the best facilities of the teams that I played on. Um you know, that's the Rams, that's Buffalo. Um even my college days at Wisconsin, so um the the the really cool thing about being with the Saints is it's blown us away in all aspects. The city, the organization, the people within the organization, facilities, food, you name it. It's been tremendous, and and my wife and I are so happy that we we're here. Yeah, you've planted your flag here.

SPEAKER_08

We have a home here now. That's right. And um you're gonna raise your raise your kids here as well. Absolutely. That's that's fantastic. Um they're gonna know you as a player, the Saints fans. They'll they'll be reading up through training camp and and into the season. What do fans need to know about David Edwards as just as the person? Uh your interests, your uh uh what what you do off the field?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's a great question. I think that um I would start with my wife and my kids, right? Um you know, I've I have four kids, I have three daughters and a son, and and um you know those guys are are my world and and invest a ton into who those guys are and and my family. Um my interests outside of football, um, I'm pretty boring. Um I love football. Um I love my family, I love my faith, and um the time that I spend outside of the building away from those guys, I just try to pour into the the guys in the locker room on the team, and whether that's going to get food or hanging out at each other's houses. Um I just like spending time with you know my family and friends. Yeah, but I have a sense that you're not gonna be very boring this season.

SPEAKER_08

It's gonna be very interesting. All right, so you're coming to New Orleans for the first time. Yep. Um I gotta ask you, what was the first time you went into the French Quarter? Or have you have you jumped into the French Quarter yet?

SPEAKER_03

First time we were there was probably the um the first weekend we were here. And um when we were when we were here and we signed and we were staying downtown and had the chance to kind of walk around and explore, um we were really blown away again by the city and the and the architecture and the history and the restaurants and just the vibe, the music, all this stuff. There's so much um energy and life in the city of New Orleans. It's really awesome.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, and you're gonna find too, as you raise your children here, there are lots of things to do for for the kids. The the Louisiana Children's Museum at City Park, the aquarium, the zoo, the streetcar, which is a great uh attraction in itself, particularly for for young kids. So there'll be a lot of things uh that you'll be able to do that.

SPEAKER_03

We already we've gone to the zoo um and walked around. My kids loved it, so we're we're you know, we're really excited to continue to explore. Fantastic.

SPEAKER_08

Um have you developed a favorite dish yet? Uh I know you probably went through the crawfish appealing and understanding that that uh mechanism. Yeah. Uh but tell us about some of the dishes that you've enjoyed to eat.

SPEAKER_03

It's a great question. Um I have as I was thinking about it, because we talked about it before we started, I did have um a bowl of gumbo on um my first visit here, and it was it was phenomenal. Um uh perfect amount of spice and and flavoring, it was great. So um I think that you know I'm not a I would say when I grew up I wasn't a huge seafood guy being in the Midwest. Yeah. Um but I'm trying to get into eating more seafood because it's so fresh down here.

SPEAKER_08

So David, final question.

SPEAKER_03

Um what do you hope uh the Saints fans see this year? I hope that the Saints fans see a connected football team. I think that connection um connection on and off the field leads to wins. And so inevitably we're gonna go through ups and downs. There's gonna be moments we wish we had back, and there's gonna be great moments. I hope that they see a team that believes and loves in each other and plays really hard for each other and for this city. And so what that means ultimately at the end of the year when in terms of wins and losses, who knows? But we're gonna play the right way. When we when we put on our film, our silent tape, um you're gonna see a team that plays the right way. Very good. Thank you. Yeah, thank you.

SPEAKER_08

Ladies and gentlemen, David Edwards, we can't we're not wait to see you out there on the Superdome. Can't wait to be out there. And uh best wishes. Thank you. Thank you. We are very happy to have Jalen Polk with us. Jalen is playing wide receiver for us here at the uh Saints Media Day today. Thank you for taking some time with us. Thank you, thank you. All right, I gotta ask you, you played at Washington, you also played with Michael Penix, right?

SPEAKER_04

Right. What was that like? It was great. It was great. You know, it was a great atmosphere, a great experience. You know, we had a great run. Um fell short in the Natty, but you know, our goal was to get there. We got there, but it was a great experience.

SPEAKER_08

Playing wide receiver, um, you're now playing with the Saints. Uh tell us about playing inside the Caesar Superdome.

SPEAKER_04

What is it like to be on that field? Man, you know, we had a great experience. You know, we had the opportunity to play uh UT there in the playoffs. Right. So just getting that full experience, you know, being there, so it's like a full circle go around. Um and now have an opportunity to go back. Just remember how electric it was, and now, you know, watching the games, seeing the fans be super excited. You know, they're in there turned up, and uh, I'm excited to get in there and play.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, you know the Saints fans are probably the most passionate uh in the NFL, so uh and they embrace the players. You feel that? I feel it.

SPEAKER_04

You feel that, you feel that energy as soon as you walk in there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

You know, uh I gotta ask you as you um get into the season, getting into training camp in a in a you know a month or so, uh, what are you most looking forward to?

SPEAKER_04

I'm looking to go out there and compete, compete with the guys, uh, you know, gain those relationships because that's what's most important, especially outside of the field. And you know, camaraderie is the most important. You know, we're building this team and we've been a lot of leaders. Um so when we go out there this this season, it's gonna show.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, we're hearing a lot about the enthusiasm. I mean the fans feel it. Um we sense that the the players feel it and they have it, and you've got a quarterback that is gonna be throwing to you. Uh tell us about uh your relationship with Tyler.

SPEAKER_04

Man, Tyler is great. He can make every throw. Uh a great person, a good great guy, man. Uh great father as well. You know, uh I I'm a father myself, so uh just getting that experience and and growing with him each and every day is pretty cool.

SPEAKER_08

So talk to us about living in New Orleans. What uh what are your impressions and uh what are you looking forward to as far as raising a family here?

SPEAKER_04

Man, I'm I'm looking forward to it all. Um I'm from Texas, so uh I had the privilege of meeting a lot of people from Louisiana as well. Um I got a I got a family that I call my family now, but you know, they're truly friends, but they're from Lake Charles. Um so whenever I had the experience to, you know, meet them and gain that relationship with them, I know once I got here the type of relationships that I would have in Louisiana as well.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, the I-10, the I-10 crowd. They get on the interstate and come on over to the games. It's gonna be great to have in the stadium. Um so you're in New Orleans, you're enjoying it. I gotta ask you a couple of questions about the food that you like the most. What's the one food item that you cannot live without now in New Orleans? Redfish. Redfish.

SPEAKER_04

I had the opportunity to go on a couple of charters, and you know, you you try fish here and there, you try fried catfish, you try this, you try that. You know, I'd have had gumbo, po-boys, but when you go in that water and you get a fresh redfish, and he grilled it up and he put the lemon pepper with the garlic butter, and then, you know, it's that's it don't get no better than that. It don't get no better than that.

SPEAKER_08

That's like a go-to meal. Go-to. All right. Do you remember the first time you visited the French Quarter? And what was it like?

SPEAKER_04

The first time I visited the French Quarter was probably whenever we played in the playoffs. Oh, they let you out of the hotel? Yeah, yeah, after the game. Uh our family members were there and everything. So uh we had the experience to walk around and just enjoy that time. It was awesome.

SPEAKER_08

That's that's that's great. Um, so you have family coming to see you. Um you're gonna spend a day kind of mapping out what they should do. What would you be telling them that they have to do while they're in New Orleans for that day?

SPEAKER_04

See, me, I will have to give them some ideas from everybody else because I to be truth be told, I'm a homebody. You stay at home, I love to be at home, let somebody else do the tour guide work. Yep, yep. So um I'll give them a uh a food place here and there, but yeah, I'm I'm super simple, homebody. But make sure that they go someplace where there's redfish, and then you'll uh you'll you'll you'll join them. And I got some in the freezer for my last charter, so I got them. Did you do some bow fishing?

SPEAKER_07

Uh I did bow fish. I did a great job. Oh, you did?

SPEAKER_04

What did you what did you uh bring in? Uh I brought a couple uh uh guars. I got them gardens. Those are crazy fish. Yep, yep. Missed missed a couple catfish, but uh man, we had a blast. That is a terrific outing. We had a blast.

SPEAKER_08

And it's so good that the coach is uh is bringing y'all all together to do these um off the practice outings, huh? Yep, yep, yep. It was awesome. Yeah. So um you're looking forward to having a good season. Uh talk to us about the the locker and how it how it feels right now.

SPEAKER_04

Man, it feels energetic. Each and every day, you know. Guys don't get comfortable with coming in there, they don't get bored of coming in there. I think everybody's eager to come in there each and every day to get better. You know, we're not getting comfortable, we're not getting complacent. Yeah. Uh we've trying to find rooms to improve each and every day. Can you talk about the food that you get served? Man, you can go in there, you get anything you want pretty much. And I think that's pretty cool from a nutritional standpoint. Um, you know, gu a lot of guys are different, they eat kind of different and You know, it's important to find your way in order for you to make sure that you're taking care of your body. And I think they get they give that resource to us.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. We were talking about the facilities themselves, probably none better in the NFL.

SPEAKER_04

Definitely. Yeah. I think you should really take advantage of it, you know, because a lot of places, you know, you hear around the league, you know, they might have this, but you come here and it's you got every resource that you need. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

That's great. Jalen, thank you so much for giving us some time today. I know it's a busy day for all of you, and we wish you so well as you get ready for training camp, and we'll see you on the field at the Caesar Superdome. Yes, sir, much love, appreciate it. This gentleman spent four seasons in New Orleans, built his career in that other place, which we'll get to, and is now back in black and gold. Caden Ellis joining us here on the Mark Roman show. Caden, great to see you again. Thanks for having me, Mark. I appreciate it. Appreciate you being here. I know this is uh Saints Media Day, all the activity going on. Uh tell us uh what is it like to go through this?

SPEAKER_02

Um, you know, there's uh, you know, certain times there's there's a long line you gotta wait, like you're at uh Cedar Point or Disney World. Um but for the most part, man, this is kind of what you you know grew up dreaming about. These are what the kids all on social media want to be, want to get to. Uh you want to have uh this platform one day and get to have some fun shining and some light over there and getting the crowd excited on game day. So uh it's a dream come true and I'm I'm thankful to be here.

SPEAKER_08

That's great. Listen, when you learned uh you were coming back to New Orleans, what was the first thing that went through your mind?

SPEAKER_02

It's just so rare to have happen, right? You don't you don't hear that very often. Players somewhere for a while, leaves, especially to arrival and then comes back. Like as soon as, you know, the calls were made, the agreements were made, you know, the verbal handshake was done, you know, in that tampering period. Um, you know, my wife and I were just so thankful, like really, really thankful and excited to be going back to a place we know that we're familiarity with, and uh an organization that we know is so well run in a city that's um just so hard to beat.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, when you think about your three years in Atlanta, what did you learn there that you're bringing back here to New Orleans?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, um you know I'd say mostly uh like experience, right? You know, experience and also um you know, leadership that's gotta be earned every single day. And um, but I had the opportunity to you know be captain there last year. I had an opportunity to uh start every game I played in uh over there, um 17 games three years in a row. So just the you know the experience that that I was able to gain on field and um you know just as a man was uh was invaluable and I think that's probably the the number one thing I'm bringing back.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, you know it's great to to uh see that you're playing on the field, but you're doing some great things off the field. Can you talk about some of the philanthropy that you got involved uh in Atlanta?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, um it was really cool. I got some uh some some cool organizations I was able to partner with. Um my family, I have 11 younger siblings, there's 12 of us total. Uh so we have five biological and seven adopted. Um so adoption's always been something um you know near and dear to my heart. Um something I l I pray Lord will and I'll me and my wife will be able to do here soon, Lord. Uh but uh over in Atlanta we uh we're able to get it involved with Georgia Kids Belong and um Promise and uh some really cool organizations that you know help you know kids that are trying to be adopted, kids in foster care. Um it was really special getting to you know take some of those kids out onto the field after games and um you know donate to those organizations. There's some some really special people running those things and uh I'm very thankful to have uh had my time with them over there.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, let's talk about the last game of the season. Um you you've had to study Tyler Shuck as a as a member of the other other team. Yeah. Uh what did you learn about him in preparation and and what do you uh think we'll experience this year?

SPEAKER_02

It was pretty cool. Um, you know, now that I'm here, you know, getting to look at it all in hindsight, uh, because one of his first starts was against us uh over there in Atlanta. And um, you know, you you go into that game, you don't have much film on the rookie quarterback, but it doesn't matter. As a defense, when you play rookie quarterback, you say we are going to hit this guy, we're gonna make him scared, and we are gonna make him cower, and that is what you do to rookie quarterbacks, right? It doesn't matter if you're the first overall pick or seventh rounder, it's irrelevant, it doesn't matter, like we're we're coming after you. And we hit him a lot that game, but you know, when you're playing him, it never felt like he he he shied, it never felt like he turned from it. You could tell he's a rookie, you could tell he didn't have very many starts yet. But I remember getting ready for him the last game of the year, and obviously he had those games under his belt. I remember specifically watching his game against Tampa, you know, when that you know, that rainy game. And I just think it's such an important thing for quarterbacks, especially now with all of them having all this athleticism. Who knows when to run, who knows when to throw? You know what I mean? It sounds simple, but watching his decision making in that game was really impressive. And I remember us over in Atlanta getting ready for that game. I mean, there were conversations about this isn't like the same kid, you know, like he's not the same, you know, he's not just some rookie quarterback right now. Like he's playing well. Um and then we got to that game and he did, he played well against us at that last game, and um, you know, you can t see the the progression that happened throughout the year. And then coming here, obviously, like you get your hopes up, you know, you have conversations, there's belief um in and outside the building. Uh, but then when you get back here and I'm and I'm in the locker room, that's what's been most uh impressive to me about everything is is the authentic belief that's in our quarterback. Because that's not something you can like you can try really hard to fake it, you can try to force it, but you're gonna know. Yeah, you know what I mean? In that locker room, you're gonna know it's it's not forced. And so that let me know all last year, he really earned it. And then what I saw in the field, his progression, that was true and authentic, and I'm really excited to team up with him.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, he was part of that enthusiasm that was building toward the end of the season, and you obviously feel that now that you're in the community, back in the community.

SPEAKER_02

Definitely do, and I'm really excited to have him as my quarterback.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, you know, uh Saints fans remember uh players. Yeah, and what is it gonna be like when they see you back in the black and gold? What is that gonna mean to you? I know what it's gonna mean to the Saints players and the Saints fans.

SPEAKER_02

I'm so excited. Like even just getting it on today, you know, I was saying earlier I wish there was a game tomorrow. Um I remember.

SPEAKER_08

We got enough guys here, we could have a game today.

SPEAKER_02

We could. I remember my last uh my last game wearing it um against the Panthers. I remember that last season so fondly. Um getting to go out there and make some plays, play alongside some of those guys. And you know, I remember my first game ever too, you know, playing against Houston Texans and watching Drew Brees march us down in a two-minute we'll let's hitting the game winner. So I've already had a lot of um memories that are I'm very fond of in this jersey, and I'm just praying that the Lord uh allows me to make a lot more. Oh, great. We wish you the best on that.

SPEAKER_08

Okay, a couple of um questions about you being back in New Orleans. Um favorite dish? A favorite food?

SPEAKER_02

Um I might have to go dessert. Okay, we'll go with dessert. Bread pudding. I really like um Francesca's by Katie's, it's pretty close to our house. Yeah. We'll go over there, we'll hit the bread pudding. Sometimes we'll get the ooey goooey. Um I'm I'm I'm that's over on Harrison, right? I think so. Harrison Avenue. Francesca's knowledge. I know how to get there, though, I promise you that.

SPEAKER_08

That's very good. Okay, bread pudding at Francesca's. Um, do you remember the first time you visited the French Quarter?

SPEAKER_02

Um, I do. It was actually uh some really good friends. Um he's actually my financial advisor now. Keep you know, friends keep keep him close. He uh but they uh you know I grew up with them um and uh the parents of the lot's awesome people, and they uh they came down and they basically they knew New Orleans really well. And my wife and I had never been, so they came and they took us everywhere, toured everything. Went down. Um it was it was so fun. It was so cool to see just the the culture, like how how different it is, how cool it is, the the authentic just um passion that's yeah you know living in the city. Yeah. Uh gumbo seafood or chicken? Uh chicken. Chicken gumbo. So like I'm I'm in one of the seafood capitals of the world. But in all honesty, I've never been a seafood guy. My dad used to have to make me force force me to eat it. My mom would make it. Um so if I can I'll do chicken, but you know, every now and then you can't help it. You gotta do what you gotta do. But did you do crawfish? I did. You do crawfish. I did do crawfish. I remember the first one was the all the rookies. They had we had this huge like um event that was uh downtown, brought all the rookies and uh Fred McAfee's uh crawfish? It might have been, yeah. And it we you know they had to teach me when we did it. Now you're uh professional crawfish peeler. I know I'm I I'm how good some people are. I wouldn't say I'm professional, but uh I can make do. Great. Uh final question uh your hopes for the season. Super Bowl. All right. You heard that here. Okay, come on. That's the hopes, and that's the goal, and that's the dream, and now it's up to us. Just work every day to make it happen. Well, deeply appreciate you being with us.

SPEAKER_08

Uh best wishes as you head into the rest of the summer and into the season, and uh, look forward to seeing you again. Thank you, sir. God bless you. All right. We are talking with Jonas Sanker. Jonas, thank you for being with us today. Yeah, no problem. It's a big thing happening here at the Media Center, huh? Yeah, a lot going on. A lot going on. Listen, you're uh entering your um second season. Tell me um the difference between the first and second season for you. How does it feel? What are you what are you looking for?

SPEAKER_06

Yeah, um, I mean, really I've learned a lot. So um being able to use all the experience I've kind of gained from that first season and uh just ultimately ultimately use that to help me, you know, come out here and perform and do better uh the second season.

SPEAKER_08

Uh you've had some time to experience the both the Saints organization and the city of New Orleans. Uh the city loves you. Uh and I know you you're enjoying the city as well. Um what has surprised you most about the city and maybe the fans?

SPEAKER_06

Um I mean the the fans are very emotional is not the right word, but like very like passionate about the Saints. So I think that that's ultimately what makes uh this place so special is just like you can just feel and see the passion just every day. Um even just kind of just walking around the city, just you know, they love their Saints players. So um I think that's really special and very rare.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, you know, it's the Saints fans have a way of adopting players, and uh you've been out in the community. Uh talk to us about how you have put yourself into the community, some of the things that you've done.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah, even just some of the community service events um over at the 18th Ward, just being able to see the impact um that this the Saints as a whole have had on that uh that community. And then uh I know I did a water project out there as well um over the s or in the offseason, I believe.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

Um that was really good. Just being able to see, you know, how much the kids enjoy just you know getting to meet a Saints player and just you know, getting to do arts and crafts and little stuff like that. Um or other events like you know when we have the whole football uh camp thing in the indoor at the facility, and just being able to just sign stuff for a lot of the kids, uh throw the football around with them. Um they had me doing like a crawfish competition, which shouldn't have signed me up for because I don't got that much experience. But uh it's just you were teaching them how to peel, or no, they had like it was like a race, so you had to like peel the crawfish, and it was me and three fans versus another Saints player and three fans, and it came down to me and him, and he knew what he was doing. So I was like, man, I'm sorry for y'all that y'all had me on your team.

SPEAKER_08

I'm glad you mentioned 18th Ward. What Lowry Cruz is doing there is fantastic. And I mean, and to see you as a as a mentor and a role model is important for the uh for the kids that he is involved in that program. So you get people coming into town, I'm sure, to visit. They're gonna come to New Orleans because Jonas is here. What are the things you say, all right, when you come to the city, these are the things you have to do.

SPEAKER_06

What are you promoting? Yeah, no, I got my uh uh three of my brothers coming down in like two weeks. So um I'm out I'm gonna take them boat fishing because that's we did that as a team, and that was a lot of fun. So we're gonna go boat fishing. Um other things. Uh I was thinking about taking them on a swamp tour. That's a lot of fun, but that heat is just since I've already done it, it's like wait till the fall, but you can't do it in the fall because you're gonna be busy, but maybe the spring. Yeah, um, something else. I mean, I'm already kind of like a stay-at-home kind of guy, so I don't really go out and do a whole lot, but um there really is a lot to do just in terms of you kind of gotta go out and explore and find out what you like, though. We're definitely gonna do some like restaurant hobbin and just like go try all these different food spots that I've been to. So I'm really looking forward to that. That's great.

SPEAKER_08

Um, do you remember the first time you visited the French Quarter? Yep. Can you tell us about it?

SPEAKER_06

First time, I wanna say, I want to say I was with my uh girlfriend and my mom, but my mom might not have been there. I remember because it it makes a big difference if my mom was there or not, because you know she wants to go and look at all the old history and all like all that stuff. We definitely went to went to eat over there. We walked around a little bit, um, kind of got to like feel there was a lot going on at the time, kind of got to feel the uh energy around Bourbon Street as well, like all the music going on. So you definitely got a good feel of kind of what New Orleans was like the first time we saw that.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, well, speaking of good feels, you mentioned the fans being so passionate. Uh describe the first time you were on the field at the Caesar Superdome and it was your first game. What's what's that sense that you picked up?

SPEAKER_06

Uh first reaction was I looked up, we saw it was warm-ups. I looked up and I was like, dang, these lights are bright, like golly. It's a bright stadium. But um, nah, it's just it was definitely the nicest, nicest stadium I've played inside when I first walked in there, just indoor. I mean, even just being in the locker room, I was like, man, like this is how y'all living. Like, but um, nah, just being able to, I know the first game, I think it was a preseason game. So I think we were playing, I want to say Jacksonville. Um yeah, I just the excitement. The I I don't really get too nervous, but just like the so much excitement can almost like just build that like adrenaline of nerves a little bit. So, you know.

SPEAKER_08

It never gets old, right? Yeah, it never gets old. Never gets old. Um all right, going into the second season, training camp coming up, uh, your position, which is so important. Uh what are your hopes and dreams for the uh for the season?

SPEAKER_06

Um, you know, obviously I want to see our team do well. I want to I want to be able to win a Super Bowl. Um, especially, you know, before I or in my time here in New Orleans, you know, however long that is. Um but just to make a make an impact and just, you know, one of my goals in college was to leave the place better than I found it and be able to change, change the uh program. And so just being being here in New Orleans now is just to you know build off that and just you know make this team better than I found it. Um however that looks. But obviously, you know, the big goal is to win a Super Bowl.

SPEAKER_08

Very good. Well, Jonas, thank you for being with us. Uh best wishes for the rest of the summer as you get into training camp, and uh we'll look forward to seeing you the season superdome. Appreciate it. All right. All right, we're here with Jamie Meeks. Jamie is the director of sports nutrition for the New Orleans Saints, and we're so happy that you're able to join us today.

SPEAKER_05

Thanks for inviting me.

SPEAKER_08

We're coming here from the Media Center for the Saints. It's an exciting day for everybody.

SPEAKER_05

It is all right.

SPEAKER_08

So tell me, Jamie, you've got players who are all sizes, all shapes, a 300-pound lineman, uh 190-pound tight end. Do they eat the same thing?

SPEAKER_05

So I would say the types of food, yes. It's just the quantity is that's the big difference. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And it I've seen the layout at the nutrition center. Um they have all types of food available, correct?

SPEAKER_05

We have so many stations. Uh we have a a grill where they can get everything um made for them right there: grilled chicken, grilled steak, salmon, made to order, burgers, things like that. Then we have our hotline, which usually consists of three different proteins a chicken, uh, beef, and a fish. And we like to just stay local with our fish and seafood. Um then we do two starches and three vegetables, and then we have an action station, which is like a theme station that's different every day. Then we have our deli as well, and then salad bar, fruit, all the fixings.

SPEAKER_08

So does it change throughout the the week during practice or is it pretty much consistent each day varieties are right?

SPEAKER_05

So it's consistent in I would say like the types, like the different um, like making sure that we have different types of proteins and starches, et cetera. But for example, on our heavy days, what which we like to call green days, which is their their heavy running, heavy um lifting days, we go heavy on the carbs on that day just to make sure that they're replenishing what they eat.

SPEAKER_07

Is there a player favorite?

SPEAKER_05

They love their wings day. Okay. They love wings.

SPEAKER_08

Um types of wings like we get normally out there in the uh consumer world.

SPEAKER_05

Right. Our our cafeteria, they do a phenomenal job of of switching it up and they do some grilled ones, they do some smoked ones, they'll do some fried ones sometime. So yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And usually a dozen wings.

SPEAKER_05

You'll you'll see a plate full for some guys.

SPEAKER_08

I can't I can't imagine. Um You know, it's not just about adding weight, right? I mean, for instance, as you said, it's you've got to fuel what their activity is.

SPEAKER_09

Exactly.

SPEAKER_08

Um so they come in and some of them are in different regimens. Some want to get the weight on, some of them want to maintain their weight.

SPEAKER_05

That's right.

SPEAKER_08

And you work with one each one individually?

SPEAKER_05

Mm-hmm. Yep, everybody is individualized. And like you said, not everybody is trying to put on weight, not everybody's trying to lose weight. It's maintaining, if anything, they're just trying to maximize their lean mass and uh make sure that their their fat mass doesn't go up. If anything that goes down and lean mass goes up.

SPEAKER_08

Now, doing off season, are you also working with them? Uh do they come to you and say, what should I be eating when I'm not around the Saints facility?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, so typically at the end of the season, they'll they'll come to us and ask for a plan for the off season. And so um my assistant Meredith and I will put together individual plans for each one of them, and we have a program where they can have it right on their phone on an app, and they can log everything, they can take pictures, and it's right there in their hand.

SPEAKER_08

So they're getting constant advice and consult from you and Meredith and uh and the organization. Well that's good. It's like having a a full-time nutritionist. Right, right in your pocket. In your kitchen.

unknown

Exactly.

SPEAKER_08

Now, you're not just dealing with nutrition, you're also dealing with hydration, blood work, sleep, recovery, exactly. All of that. Um a complete action plan.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, total wellness.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, how do you work with the team doctors on that? Is that something that you'll set up in the beginning of the season?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, we work hand in hand with our team docs, our athletic trainers, even strength staff, performance staff. Um, right now, actually, they're doing their physicals, and so what will what will happen is we'll get their blood results and we'll we'll look at those, look at any outliers, um, see if there's any deficiencies. If so, we'll make sure to see what their diets are currently if we need to adjust and then also supplement.

SPEAKER_08

Very good. You know, one of the questions we like to ask our players when they come into the show is you know, their favorite foods. I have to say that some of them might say fried shrimp or uh fried chicken. Uh do you try to discount that sort of service? Do you uh do is that part of the okay menu item?

SPEAKER_05

I'm a total inmoderation type of dietitian, and uh there are some teams or sports that don't even allow fryers in their facilities. Um we do. Now we don't fry a lot, but we do have it for those special occasions. Um moderation is key because if you just take something away totally, they're gonna go find it somewhere else, probably in in a bigger amount.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. Like they'll they'll find those wings somewhere. They'll find it. They'll find those wings somewhere. Um talk about the beverage consumption. Um, the importance of mineral water, uh, Gatorade, things of that sort. I mean, how is that important as opposed to regular water that we all consume?

SPEAKER_05

Right, right. And water, in my eyes, water is water, but making sure that they are incorporating beverages that have a high electrolyte um content, especially sodium, since that's what their sweat is mostly consisted of is sodium. You'll see a lot of electrolyte drinks that have potassium and magnesium, but you're not really losing a lot of those minerals. You're losing sodium. So we carry a lot of um products, different types because everybody has their own preference, um stuff like Gatorade and a few others, to make sure that they are replenishing what they are losing.

SPEAKER_08

You've been in this position since 2015. Uh we're talking now 11 plus years. What's changed when you first landed with the Saints uh from a standpoint of nutrition development and the the uh just the overall f care and feeding, so to speak?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, it has evolved tremendously. I mean, from my first year, I remember doing a team talk and I asked the team, hey, how many of you have worked with a dietitian when you were in college? And I can I counted five guys, and now it's the entire room because all colleges and universities do employ full-time dietitians. And so they they're knowledgeable about it, they know about it, they they're aware, and they come to the league now with with some sort of uh Knowledge about hey, nutrition is actually part of my my regimen, part of my training.

SPEAKER_08

Very good. So as a as a mom, uh you're probably watching the nutrition intake of your family members. What do you tell us regular fans uh what we should be doing? You know, in New Orleans that's tough, right?

SPEAKER_05

Yes, I know. Born and raised here, so I get it.

SPEAKER_08

Not that you pass judgment on folks, but you're not gonna be able to do that. No, no judgment whatsoever.

SPEAKER_05

My husband always says it's it's good for the soul. And I'm like, you know what, you're right. So um I I kind of live by that, and like I said earlier, it's it's moderation. You have to make sure that you that 80, 90 percent of the time that you are choosing those those good, lean, whole foods, but you know, have fun. You have to you have to live your life too.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, and so moderation. That seems to be the key here. Yes, all right. Yeah. Um let's talk about you. You you uh came out of LSU. Um understand that you were part of the 2007 national championship game. What was that like?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, so I was a cheerleader for LSU from all my four years, my husband as well, and um got to cheer at the national championship in 07, also the men's final four. It's been a while since our men have been to the final four, but that was a that was a great experience.

SPEAKER_08

Are you looking forward to the LSU season this year? I am there's a excitement. A lot of excitement there, so I'm excited to see Coach Ogier on back and I saw that.

SPEAKER_05

That's exciting. That is really extra energy to the room.

SPEAKER_08

Here we are uh getting ready for the season to begin. Uh anything new developing in your world around um feeding other players and their uh overall nutrition?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, I would say um we're doing a lot more tracking and watching trends of guys, both from a weight standpoint, a body fat lean mass standpoint, hydration. We're tracking it with us along with our performance strength staff. Um really big on the science part of it, and it can help tailor what we uh suggest and recommend to our players um when it comes to their specific plans.

SPEAKER_08

Very good. And um looking forward to a pretty exciting season, including taking the team uh across the pond to um to France.

SPEAKER_05

Yes, that's we're packing right now. Oh, you're really you're getting ready.

SPEAKER_08

Well, thank you. You know, there's so much to go on that goes on behind the scenes, and you're a a key uh part of that, and we thank you for uh the work that you do.

SPEAKER_09

Yeah, it's a good thing.

SPEAKER_08

Keeping our players as healthy as possible, well fed in a city that is known for its food, uh, making sure that they can still enjoy their gumbos and um the fresh seafood, as you say. Exactly.

SPEAKER_05

I tell them, I'm like, look, when you first get here, you don't need to go crazy because it's gonna be there all throughout the year. So you don't need to do the freshman 15 right when you get here.

SPEAKER_08

Now is crawfish part of their uh menu?

SPEAKER_05

So um our rookies for sure, they do their crawfish boil um with Fred McAfee and the touchdown club. So that's where they learn to peel crawfish and get introduced to that world. Um we don't really do boil crawfish on the line just because of what it entails, lots of space, lots of mess. Um but we do a lot of Louisiana dishes, um, especially on Mondays, red beans and rice. Um we do catfish, fried catfish on Fridays with um gumbo as well. And we'll throw in some etuffe and uh jambalaya in there as well.

SPEAKER_08

You know, I've got to ask this question before we uh uh let you go. Um everyone says breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Is that true with the Saints?

SPEAKER_05

For these guys, yes. Because their days are so long and because their calorie needs are so high, they need to start earlier in the day so they're not backloading their calories. And be and since they practice mid-day, if they're skipping out on one meal, their energy is more than likely to dip as well.

SPEAKER_08

Okay, you know, I've got to ask the director of sports nutrition for the Saints, what is your favorite pow boy?

SPEAKER_05

Ooh, fried shrimp.

SPEAKER_08

Fried shrimp.

SPEAKER_05

Fried shrimp.

SPEAKER_08

Totally dressed?

SPEAKER_05

Totally dressed.

SPEAKER_08

Favorite place you like to get that?

SPEAKER_05

Oh, not really anywhere. You know, Quarterview right there in Metary, they have a really, really good one.

SPEAKER_08

Okay, I've heard of that on Clearview, right? On Clearview, that's great. Well, uh it's it's probably like asking your favorite child, right? Your favorite restaurant. But uh thank you so much. And I think again, uh in discussions with you, it shows that there's a lot going on in the field, but the performance, the recovery, the overall well-being of the player is so important to ensure a winning team. So thank you for what you do.

SPEAKER_05

Thank you.

SPEAKER_08

Uh Jamie, really appreciate your time with us today. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_05

Thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_08

And now for this week in New Orleans, let's go to April Dupree.

SPEAKER_01

Thanks so much, Mark. Here's where to eat, drink, and play this week in New Orleans. Juneteenth falls on Friday, and there are so many ways to honor the day across New Orleans. You can check out NOLA Juneteenth Fest in Congo Square, visit the New Orleans African-American Museum, or look to Ashe Cultural Arts Center for more ways to recognize the holiday. This week, build your own black-owned food tour around the city. In Tremay, Dicky Chases is always a meaningful stop with gumbo fried chicken and deep roots in New Orleans history. Nearby, Adisprings, Ethiopian Flavor to Bay Road, and Lil Dizzy's is the kind of place where the fried chicken gets the headlines, but don't you sleep on that mac and cheese. If you're in mid-city, Queen Trinity Lisa's doubles are a must, while Neo's Creole Cafe keeps it classic with soul food favorites. And if you're making it an uptown night, the carnola offers a full dining experience built around Senegalese flavors, storytelling, and of course, community. It's a great time to support black-owned spots that bring people together over a cool beverage. Start with Jewel of the South, an award-winning French Quarter cocktail bar known for its classic New Orleans feel, thoughtful service, and one of the best bar programs in the city. Over in the CBD, Baroness on Barone is a great spot for a night out with lounge energy, house cocktails, and a space that is too easy to settle into. For a daytime option, chapter four comes from the Chase family and carries forward a legacy rooted in food, hospitality, and community. And if you're looking for something with a little more after hours, energy, whiskey and sticks, brings cocktails, cigars, and a back patio that is built for hanging out a little longer than planned. Whether you're celebrating dad, a grandfather, a father figure, or someone who has always shown up for you, this is your reminder to think beyond the last-minute gift card. If he's a reader, start at Octavia Books where the staff can help you find the right pick, whether he's into history, fiction, architecture, or just a really good story. For the dad who loves the kitchen, the bar carts, or anything with a little nostalgia, check out Season for cookware, barware, and vintage finds. Nola Boards is another great stock for custom cutting boards, cocktail shakers, local honey, and culinary gifts that actually get used. And if a good bottle is more of his style, really, really nice wines can help you find something special. From there, make a day of it. Visit the historic New Orleans collection or the National World War II Museum, or take a ride on the Steamboat Natches. If you want to keep it outside, spread out under the Oaks at City Park, walk through Audubon Park, or head to the fly for river views, a Mississippi breeze, and an easy stop at the Batcher or Miss River Market nearby. For more information on where to eat, drink, and play this week, visit New Orleans.com. Back to you, Mark.

SPEAKER_08

Thanks, April. It's a lot going on in the city as usual. And now for something positively New Orleans. As we celebrate Father's Day, we pause to honor the men who have shaped our lives. Not only fathers, but stepfathers, grandfathers, and all those who have stepped forward to guide, teach, protect, and love. Our father's influence is often measured not by grand speeches or public recognition, but by the quiet moments, teaching us right from wrong, showing up when it matters most, offering wisdom when we seek it, and strength when we need it. Fathers help us find our footing in the world. They teach us responsibility, resilience, integrity, and the importance of keeping our word. I have been especially blessed by the men in my own family. My grandfathers, Jeff Collins and CeCe Roamig, were extraordinary role models. Through their example, they showed our family what character, hard work, faith, and devotion looked like. Their lessons continue to echo through the generations. My father Jerry was simply the GOAT, the greatest of all time in my eyes. He led with love, humility, humor, and an unwavering commitment to his family. Like so many fathers, he left footprints that are impossible to fill but impossible to miss. The values he instilled continue to guide us every day. In fact, one day one of my siblings asked Dad why he did not play golf. His answer was pretty simple. Because your mother and your brothers and sisters are my favorite hobby. He showed us daily how much he valued our family. Today I also look to my brother Jay, who has become the patriarch of our family. He has raised three wonderful children and now enjoys the blessing of being a grandfather himself. Watching him lead his family with patience, wisdom, and love reminds me that the legacy of a great father never ends. It simply passes from one generation to the next. This goes true for my brothers-in-law Matt Phillman and Cecil Haskins, all outstanding dads as well. The truth is we are better because of our dads. We are stronger because they believed in us. We are wiser because they taught us. And we are more loving because they loved us first. So today, let us honor every father, stepfather, grandfather, and father figure. May we thank them for their sacrifices, celebrate their devotion, and cherish the countless ways they have enriched our lives. To all the dads who have gone before us, to those who are with us today, and to those still raising the next generation, we thank you, we love you, and we are better because of you. And that's Positively New Orleans. That's our show for this week. Thanks to our incredible guests and to all of you for watching and listening. And a special thanks to our sponsors, Blue Runner Foods, New Orleans and Company, our friends at Visit the North Shore, and their podcast, All the Waves. Go check it out. And don't forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell for all of our new videos. We'll see you next week.