Trending Now - Travis Etienne Sets the Record Straight on Name Pronunciation
WHO:
Travis Etienne Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints.
Kellen Moore is the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Travis Etienne, running back for the New Orleans Saints
Kellen Moore, head coach of the New Orleans Saints
Jennings, Louisiana, Etienne's hometown
WHAT:
Etienne expressed, "I feel like becoming a dad is the sole reason I'm here standing with you today."
Etienne stated, "I wasn't thinking Saints pre-free agency, because I didn't know if they had interest or anything. But when the Saints became available it was kind of like a no-brainer to me."
Etienne's son is named "Saint," after the New Orleans Saints.
Travis Etienne had 292 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 36 catches in 2025.
Etienne stated, "I feel like becoming a dad is the sole reason I'm here standing with you today."
Etienne expressed, "This isn't a job for me. It's a passion. It's my life. ... It's something I dreamed about all my life."
Travis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints
Etienne had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries in 2025
Over his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne totaled 3,798 yards and 25 touchdowns on 897 carries, and 1,338 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 168 catches in 66 games (60 starts)
Etienne will wear No. 3 with the Saints
WHERE:
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jennings, Louisiana, Etienne's hometown
WHEN:
Etienne's introductory news conference was on Friday, March 13th, 2026
Etienne was drafted in 2021 as the 25th overall pick
WHY:
Etienne mentioned, "Just watching the Saints each and every Sunday, just being inspired by Drew Brees, just being inspired by the guys."
He aims to be a role model for the next generation, saying, "I just want everyone to know that they can always reach out to me."
Etienne mentioned, "I want him to understand that everything that he wants in life can become [real] as long as he trusts in God, he puts the work in and understands that 'treat people the way you want to be treated' is the main thing."
Etienne expressed a strong desire to return to his roots and play for the Saints, stating, "Whenever the Saints reached out, I don't think there was nothing that could have stopped me from coming here."
He aims to be a role model for the next generation, saying, "I just want everyone to know that they can always reach out to me."
HOW:
Etienne clarified the pronunciation of his name, stating, "Growing up, it [was] Travis [Achane]. A-C-H-A-N-E."
Etienne explained the mispronunciation of his name, stating, "I kept telling them my name every day, every day, every day, and after like they just couldn’t get it."
Etienne corrected the pronunciation of his name, stating it was pronounced "Achane" growing up, but accepted the alternate pronunciation "ETN" during his college years.
(UPDATED March 14, 2026 01:24 UTC)
In a heartfelt moment, Travis Etienne Jr., the running back for the New Orleans Saints, shared that becoming a dad is the main reason he's excited to be with the team, especially since he named his son "Saint" after the franchise. He expressed that when the Saints became available, it felt like a no-brainer for him, inspired by legends like Drew Brees and eager to be a role model for the next generation. Etienne also took a moment to clarify the pronunciation of his name, saying it’s pronounced "Travis Achane," spelled A-C-H-A-N-E.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:07 UTC)
In a remarkable season, Travis Etienne racked up an impressive 292 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 36 catches in 2025. Reflecting on his journey, he shared that becoming a dad is the main reason he stands where he is today, emphasizing that this isn't just a job for him, but a lifelong passion. Etienne also opened up about the challenges he faced with the mispronunciation of his name, saying he repeatedly corrected people, but they just couldn't seem to get it right.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 21:10 UTC)
Travis Etienne, the running back who recently signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, held his introductory news conference today, expressing his excitement about returning to his roots in Jennings, Louisiana. Over his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne racked up nearly 4,000 rushing yards and aims to inspire the next generation, stating he wants everyone to know they can reach out to him. He also clarified the pronunciation of his name, noting it was pronounced "Achane" growing up, but he accepted "ETN" during his college years.