This offseason, the New Orleans Saints made a big decision to invest heavily in running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. He'll likely replace Alvin Kamara as the lead back in New Orleans.
Etienne is returning home with this signing, and upon his return home, he's made a big announcement. For his entire NFL and collegiate everyone has been saying his name wrong.
As the Saints shared on Twitter/x from Etienne's introductory press conference, the new Saints running back doesn't go by "Eee-Tee-En," but rather by "Ay-Chan."
Travis Etienne Jr. reveals how to properly pronounce his name
"Growing up, it was Travis 'Ay-Chan,' so it was 'Achane,' so that's how you always say 'Travis Etienne," Etienne said. "But when I went to college, I kept telling them my name every day... after four weeks, they couldn't get it, so I'm like 'Eee-Tee-En.'"
PSA: Travis Etienne Jr. on how to pronounce his last name pic.twitter.com/UNfFdXcrCg
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 13, 2026
This is a surprising revelation for the new Saints running back. For his entire collegiate and NFL career, spanning nearly a decade, everyone has been referring to him by the wrong name.
After five years in the NFL, Etienne is finally coming forward and revealing how his name is supposed to be pronounced. It's a shocking revelation, and it's even more surprising considering some context from around the NFL.
More: Travis Etienne Jr. agrees to Saints deal leaving Jaguars behind
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane was incorrectly having his last name pronounced as "A-Chain." But, he corrected it to "Ay-Chan."
Somehow, Etienne isn't the first star running back in the NFL to have to correct how his last name is pronounced to "Ay-Chan" in the last few years.
Etienne is coming back home to Louisiana and will be the new starting running back for the Saints, his favorite team growing up.
It's a fun fit, and it's already brought some very memorable changes. Etienne's last name isn't pronounced "Eee-Tee-En," but rather "Ay-Chan."
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