Travis Etienne Jr. Signs with Saints, Continuing Family Legacy

New Orleans native returns home, names son after team he grew up loving

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:34pm

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Travis Etienne Jr., the newest running back for the New Orleans Saints, is excited to return home and continue his family's long-standing love for the team. Etienne, who played college football at Clemson and spent five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has named his 11-month-old son "Saint" after the team he and his family have supported since childhood. Etienne spoke about how he and his younger brother Trevor would pretend to be Saints players like Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush when they were young, and how becoming a father has given him a renewed sense of purpose and desire to leave a lasting legacy.

Why it matters

Etienne's signing with the Saints represents a full-circle moment for the Louisiana native, allowing him to return home and play for the team he and his family have supported for generations. His decision to name his son after the team underscores the deep connection the Etienne family has with the Saints, and highlights the importance of community, family, and following one's passions, even if the path is not always straightforward.

The details

Etienne, who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, is excited to sign with the Saints in free agency this week. He'll be switching his jersey number from 1 to 3, a decision he says represents a fresh start and his desire to create a lasting legacy with the team. Etienne spoke about how he and his brother Trevor would pretend to be Saints players like Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush when they were young, and how becoming a father has given him a renewed sense of purpose and drive to be great.

  • Etienne was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
  • Etienne signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency this week (March 13, 2026).
  • Etienne's son, named "Saint", is 11 months old.

The players

Travis Etienne Jr.

The newest running back for the New Orleans Saints, who grew up in Louisiana and has a deep family connection to the team.

Trevor Etienne

Travis Etienne Jr.'s younger brother, who is a running back for the Carolina Panthers.

Deuce McAllister

Former Saints running back who Etienne and his brother would imitate as children.

Reggie Bush

Former Saints running back who Etienne's brother Trevor would imitate as a child.

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What they’re saying

“Just watching the Saints each and every Sunday, just being inspired by Drew Brees, just being inspired by the guys. I actually wore No. 9 in college. So just being inspired by the things around me. People often say, 'You're a product of your environment.' And just watching the same each and every Sunday, growing up, just being around it.”

— Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints Running Back

“I feel like becoming a dad is the sole reason I'm here standing with you today. I feel like it's lots of passion, a purpose inside you that you can't get from anyone else. It's truly the greatest thing that happened to me, and it's the reason that I'm able to just have this excitement, have this growth mindset each and every day because whenever I step on that field, whenever my son, 10, 20 years down the road, he's Googling his dad, I don't want him to see me with lackluster stats, like 'My dad really wasn't good!'”

— Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints Running Back

What’s next

Etienne will begin preparing for the upcoming NFL season with the Saints, looking to make an immediate impact and continue the family's legacy with the team.

The takeaway

Travis Etienne Jr.'s homecoming to the New Orleans Saints represents the power of family, community, and following one's passions. His decision to name his son after the team he grew up loving underscores the deep roots the Etienne family has with the Saints, and serves as an inspiring example of how our upbringing and support systems can shape our lives in profound ways.