John’s love for New Orleans began through music. Drawn in by the city’s heavy metal scene, he quickly found himself learning more about New Orleans’ culture, history, and resilience. The story of Hurricane Katrina deeply impacted him and became the foundation of his connection to the city.
His interest in American football and the New Orleans Saints began around the 2008 season after noticing one of his favorite singers wearing Saints gear and sporting a Saints tattoo. Curious at first, John became fully invested during the 2009 season, a year that culminated in the Saints’ first Super Bowl victory and solidified his lifelong fandom.
John attended his first Saints game at the Caesars Superdome in September 2014 against the Minnesota Vikings, celebrating his 25th birthday. He was blown away by the atmosphere, which he describes as unlike anything he had experienced in European stadiums. To this day, it remains his only game in New Orleans — and he proudly notes that he is still undefeated at the Dome. He has also traveled to see the Saints play internationally in London in 2017 and 2022, and dreams of one day bringing his wife, Charlotte, and their two children, Sacha (7) and Chloé (4), to New Orleans.
Beyond attending games, John has dedicated over a decade to growing the Saints’ fanbase in France. Since 2015, he has run the @SaintsFrance account on X (formerly Twitter), sharing translated news, live game coverage, and Saints updates for French-speaking fans. In 2019, Elio and Bertrand joined the effort, and together they have grown the account into one of the most-followed NFL fan pages in France. In 2023, they launched the French Quarter Podcast, a Saints-focused podcast now entering its third season.
John’s mission is simple but powerful: to promote the Saints, New Orleans culture, and football while making it more accessible to French fans, especially non-English speakers. This journey recently led to an unforgettable moment — meeting Saints linebacker Demario Davis — a milestone that reflects the impact and reach of his dedication to Saints Nation abroad.