New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. dropped a pronunciation bombshell during his introductory press conference on Friday, admitting that fans, announcers, and even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell have been butchering his last name for years.
The former Jacksonville Jaguar, who recently signed a four-year, $52 million deal to return to his home state of Louisiana, explained that growing up in Jennings, his name was pronounced “Travis Achane” — as in A-C-H-A-N-E, rhyming with Miami Dolphins star De’Von Achane.
“When I went to college [at Clemson in 2017], I kept telling them my name every day, every day, every day,” Etienne said. “After like four weeks, they just couldn’t get it. So I’m like, ‘Man, it’s ETN. How you see it is how you say it.'”
The simplified “ee-tee-en” stuck through his Clemson national championship, his first-round draft in 2021, and five seasons with the Jaguars — mostly for convenience, since correcting people daily grew exhausting.
Now back in Louisiana with the Saints, Etienne is ready to reclaim his roots.
“I’m very much open to being Travis Achane again, just being myself,” he shared. “I don’t have to correct people here every day. And I kind of love that.”
The laid-back star’s lighthearted revelation had fans and reporters chuckling — and practicing — as he brings his speed, smile, and now properly pronounced name to the Bayou.
No more “ETN” excuses; it’s “Ay-chan” from here on out.
