New Orleans welcomes Travis Etienne, embracing his true name and a fresh start. He trades his legacy with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a new number and Louisiana homecoming.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is moving quickly to take on a whole other persona with his new team, the New Orleans Saints.
The fifth-year NFL tailback first wanted to correct the record on the proper pronunciation of his surname.
"When I went to college, I kept telling them my name every day, every day, every day," he told reporters Friday during his introductory press conference in New Orleans. "For whatever reason, they just couldn't get it. So I'm like, 'Man, it's ETN -- how you see it is how you say it.'
"It kinda took off because it was easy for the (announcers) to say it, and I didn't have to correct them every day how to say my name.
"But I'm very much open to being Travis Etienne again. I don't have to correct people here [in New Orleans} on how to say my name each and every day -- and I kinda love that, just to get back to me."
Etienne agreed Monday to a four-year, $52 million contract with the Saints. He was the first big-name free agent to leave Jacksonville in this year's free agency.
Etienne also shucked the No. 1 jersey he wore throughout his career with the Jags, in favor of wearing No. 3 for the Saints.
"It makes sense," he explained Friday, "because since I left Louisiana, this is my third team."
The Jennings, Louisiana, native wore No. 9 at Clemson, he said, in tribute to Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Etienne finished his fifth year in Jacksonville in 2025. (He was sidelined for his entire rookie season with a Listfranc injury.)
Etienne was selected in 2021 by the Jags in the first round (25th overall) from the same draft class and college team as No. 1-pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The duo worked hand-in-glove last season for Liam Coen in his first year as head coach in Jacksonville.
Etienne was a top-15 running back in the league last season, rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns. He has totaled three 1,000-plus rushing-yard seasons, the last two back-to-back in 2024 and 2025.
Etienne also had 36 receptions for 292 yards and six touchdowns this past season, and was named a Pro-Bowl alternate.
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