The New Orleans Saints are in the midst of their second of three OTA sessions this week, but Tuesday's work happened off the field and in the community.
For the second consecutive offseason the Saints partnered with the 18th Ward and Rebuilding Together New Orleans to revitalize the Trinity Community Center in Hollygrove, building on work that was done during a similar event last year. The majority of the Saints roster and coaching staff was in attendance, fulfilling an aspect of team-building and community involvement that Saints head coach Kellen Moore has heavily emphasized since taking over the team.
"It just means that he values family," said new Saints RB and Louisiana native Travis Etienne, "and I feel like if you want to be a great football team, you have to be a family first. I feel like we're all brothers out here and ... this is the way that we really truly grow and bond together, and I feel like coach understands that."
Quarterback Tyler Shough and other team leaders were back at the community center for a second year and were excited to build on their work, which included more landscaping, tree plantings, other additions and maintenance to the building and recreational areas.
"This is why we do it. This is awesome. ... I feel like every time we come out here it gets better and better," Shough said. "We got to actually come and interact with some of the kids this past offseason, and to be able to put more into it, it's so much fun."
The event was held on a day off from OTA practices, with the second such session beginning on Monday. The Saints will be back on the field Wednesday and Thursday as they continue to work toward the 2026 season. The off-field work won't directly lead to quality football, but as Erik McCoy explained, the impact down the line on team chemistry will be tangible.
"I think closeness is just something that when you go through the ups and downs through the season ... you need to be able to lean on the people around you," McCoy said. And I think that's something that closeness, that togetherness brings."
