There have been a number of surprise appearances at New Orleans Saints training camp this year, with big-time player agent Drew Rosenhaus roaming the sidelines on Wednesday and legendary former Saints quarterback Drew Brees expected to visit practice on Friday. But on Wednesday, one local star athlete made an unexpected cameo during the early-morning heat: Zion Williamson.
The Associated Press’s Brett Martel reports that the New Orleans Pelicans superstar was spotted sprinting outdoors under supervision of trainers, using a practice field unoccupied by the Saints at the time. That doesn’t sound like much on its own, but it’s big news for Williamson and the Pelicans. The 23-year-old has missed a lot of time with injuries in his pro career and often been criticized by fans and outside observers for poor conditioning.
So it’s a good sign that he’s testing his surgically-repaired foot and the hamstring that took him out of action last year. To do so outside in New Orleans means a lot to anyone who knows anything about the area this time of year. At the time Williamson was reported to be working outside, AccuWeather reported a “RealFeel” temperature index accounting for heat, humidity, and shade at 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s challenging for anyone, but it’s a serious hurdle for a young athlete seeking to improve himself. It’s good to see Williamson working with team personnel to tackle it. Hopefully his efforts pay off when the Pelicans open their 2023 season in a few months. Saints stars like Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara, and Derek Carr have been spotted cheering Williamson and the Pelicans courtside, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for more crossovers.
