Jay Romig
Episode 257
1 JAN 2024
He is the Team Administrative Director for the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints and has the distinction of being the organization’s longest serving employee, having started with the team in 1977 as an assistant athletic trainer. In 2017 the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame presented him with the Joe Gemelli “Fleur-De-Lis” Award, and he has affectionately earned the unofficial title of “Vice President of Everything.” He had been a football manager all through high school, having attended Brother Martin High School, which is a private, Catholic, all-boys college preparatory school run by the United States Province of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
Notable guest quotes:
“Both my parents were born and raised Catholic… We went to Catholic grammar school, St. Dominic’s, St. Louis King of France… my brother followed me to Brother Martin (High School).”
“My dad also was the stadium announcer for the New Orleans Saints, starting in the third year, 1969… back in Tulane Stadium… I’d spot for him, I’d sell programs at the games. I’ve been doing stuff for the Saints since the early 70s and getting a job to work here out of college was like a dream come true for me.”
“I lived at home all through college and being around two parents who were so heavily into their faith kinda helped. There’s no reason to stray or not be interested.”
“(New Orleans Head Coach) Hank (Stram) liked me ‘cause I was the only one in the (Saints’) organization that was smaller than him.”
“God does put people in your life for certain reasons.”
“We have a Mass scheduled most of the time the day before the game, sometimes it’s the day of the game if we’re playing that night… Depending upon the season a handful of players, a handful of coaches, some staff (will attend).”
“The owner of the team, Tom Benson… actually went to St. Aloysius High School. We had a special friendship… He was a strong Catholic.”
“It’s good when you have leadership in the coaching staff. Our head coach here, Dennis Allen, is a Catholic and definitely wants to make sure we have a Mass.”
“At St. Dominic’s I was on the committee to help start (an adoration chapel)… My hours were 2-3 in the morning on a Tuesday morning, 2am-3am. And I’ve done it for 23 years now, the same hours.”
“I love it. I mean it’s great and it’s an hour that you’re in peace with God in the chapel.”
Related link:
