‘Maybe that’s why you’re not on the team anymore’
Credit where it’s due — Tyler Shough is no stranger to the New Orleans restaurant scene. The team’s new quarterback has worked hard to ingratiate himself to Saints fans and his new community, and that means doing more than learning to shuck his own oysters. It means standing on business when others turn their noses up at the food, too.
Former Saints wideout Equanimeous St. Brown and his brother, Detroit Lions Pro Bowler Amon-Ra St. Brown, have found success with their St. Brown Podcast endeavors chopping it up during the season and interviewing other players around the NFL. But they’ve also drawn some ire for downplaying the food in New Orleans, which apparently disappointed Equanimous. During a sit-down chat with Shough at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, he reflected on his meals in Louisiana as “overrated” and “regular,” not standing out compared to other cities he’d visited.
“Really?” Shough said, ducking his head and peering up at his interviewer. “Dude, maybe that’s why you’re not on the team anymore.”
They all shared a laugh at that, but good on Shough for standing up for his new hometown. As for the restaurants Shough would recommend? He said his first stops included Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (famed for their oysters, which were Shough’s first meal in town) and Chophouse New Orleans, a popular steakhouse but acknowledged he’s still getting acclimated and is eager to learn more hot spots in the city. New Orleanians are proud of their culinary skills, and it didn’t take long for Shough to learn that reputation is worth defending.