Tag: autograph

Foster Moreau says he still has his signed Jimmy Graham jersey

Foster Moreau grew up a Saints fan, and he still has his signed Jimmy Graham jersey: ‘You walk into the locker room, and oh my god, he’s right there’

It always seems to mean a little more when someone gets to play for the team they grew up supporting — Michael Mauti was at the New Orleans Saints’ “Rebirth” game after Hurricane Katrina in 2006, and the linebacker later got to block a punt of his own (against the Atlanta Falcons!) with Steve Gleason watching him.

Foster Moreau hasn’t experienced that kind of cinematic moment just yet, but he acknowledged how surreal it is to share a locker room with a player whose jersey he’s owned since he was a teenager. Initially a running back, Moreau converted to tight end at Jesuit High School, a position-switch his father noted by gifting him a Jimmy Graham jersey. Only it was signed, framed, and forbidden from being worn.

“Jimmy, right, was a dog. And he still is, honestly, he runs great,” Moreau said after Saturday’s training camp practice. “And so, it’s such a funny situation. You walk into the locker room, and oh my god, Jimmy Graham’s right there. It’s pretty funny. I actually have a signed Jimmy Graham autograph jersey in a shadow box that I had at my dad’s house, in my room. It’s a weird situation.”

The Saints have assembled one of the NFL’s most unique tight end rooms between Moreau, Graham, breakout pass-catcher Juwan Johnson, and not-really-a-tight end Taysom Hill (plus Lucas Krull and Jesse James, who are both in the mix). How they figure out each player’s specific role is a major storyline at training camp, but as Moreau noted, veterans like Graham have a lot to offer even with so many other talented players in the group.

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WATCH: Trent McDuffie signed autographs for fans at Chiefs camp

Trent McDuffie’s gentle interaction with a young fan at training camp was a heartwarming moment after the #Chiefs’ Wednesday practice.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie became a fan-favorite after his breakout rookie season in 2022. His tenacious play in the Chiefs’ secondary was a key reason for Kansas City’s defensive success in their run to Super Bowl LVII.

At training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, McDuffie continued endearing himself to the Chiefs’ faithful after practice on Wednesday, signing autographs for fans in attendance. The good folks at Kansas City Sports Network got a video of his gentle interaction with a young supporter that will warm the hearts of all who watch.

For all of the aggression McDuffie has shown in practice against Kansas City’s up-and-coming receiving corps, he is remarkably kind and patient when he steps off the gridiron.

This meet and greet with a young fan may seem trivial on the surface, but seeing an athlete like McDuffie make time for those who show up to support the Chiefs through the dog days of summer at training camp is quietly refreshing.

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WATCH: Drew Brees swarmed by LSU players looking for autographs after Citrus Bowl

WATCH: Drew Brees swarmed by LSU players looking for autographs after Citrus Bowl

How cool is this? Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn’t get the result he wanted when his Purdue Boilermakers got run over by the LSU Tigers in a 63-7 finish during this year’s Citrus Bowl, but the future Pro Football Hall of Famer still made an impact on the next generation. Spectrum News 13’s Josh Miller caught up with Brees after the final whistle.

Brees stepped in as an interim assistant coach for Purdue after the Boilermakers lost a lot of help to the college football hiring cycle, including former head coach Jeff Brohm. And many LSU players sought Brees’ autograph after the game, mobbing him with whatever they had on hand: their gloves, their jerseys, even their towels. It’s not every day you get to meet a living legend, much less claim some bragging rights after a big bowl win.

“I’m gonna tell my kids this one day, you heard me? I beat Drew Brees, we beat Drew Brees,” grinned safety Joe Foucha, a New Orleans native from McDonogh 35 Senior High School. Many players on the field grew up watching Brees lead the Saints to the team’s brightest era of football, and several of them were in the crowd seeking Brees’ signature — guys like wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. (of Zachary, La.) and safety Greg Brooks Jr. (from Harvey, La.).

So while Brees’ turn as a coach may have not gone as hoped, he still has a great reputation among the next players dreaming of turning pro. It’s good to see his day — and theirs — ended on a high note. That was the case for Brees’ children, too, who petitioned LSU running back John Emery for photos and autographs after the game while decked out in Tigers gear (unlike their dad, still wearing his Purdue colors). WAFB 9’s Jacques Doucet captured the moment:

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Drew Brees gifts signed jersey to rising pro tennis star Madison Keys

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees gifted a signed jersey to Women’s Tennis Association professional Madison Keys, a rising star in the sport.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a month-and-some-change away from his 41st birthday, and the Hall of Fame-bound passer appears to have take an increased interest in what younger athletes are accomplishing, or about to — like the arrival of New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, who received an autographed jersey as a housewarming gift from Brees. He’s offered his advice to Williamson as a mentor, and done the same for phenomenal Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

But Brees isn’t limiting his attention to basketball and football. Before committing himself to football, he famously competed against Andy Roddick when they were both in school together. The future men’s tennis world champion says that he initially won twice, but defeated Brees so soundly he hung up his racket and focused on football.

So it’s clear that Brees is still keeping up with the goings-on in a sport he once considered, and reached out to professional women’s tennis player Madison Keys. Keys recently won the 2019 Cincinnati Open in her first career Premier 5 title, putting her on the map as a potential heir to superstars Venus and Serena Williams in a few years.

Keys received a No. 1 jersey from the Saints that was signed by Brees, and she took the time to thank him in a video from the official Women’s Tennis Association Twitter account, expressing gratitude and excitement at displaying it in her home. Check it out in the video embedded below, or by following this link:

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