Bobby April on Drew Brees & NFL Stories, Saints Camp + 50 Years at Pat O’Brien’s | Episode 29

Bobby April shares stories from Chalmette High School to the NFL, Ross Jackson delivers a New Orleans Saints preseason stock report, and Charlie Bateman celebrates 50 years at Pat O’Brien’s. Episode 29 also features Catholic Charities President and CEO Cynthia Hayes, This Week in New Orleans and Positively New Orleans. FEATURED GUEST: BOBBY APRIL New Orleans Bobby April joins Mark Romig to discuss the people and lessons that shaped his football life. The two-time NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year reflects on growing up in Chalmette, playing at Nicholls, beginning his career at Chalmette High School and spending more than two decades coaching special teams across the NFL. April shares lessons from Jerry Glanville, Jim Mora and Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau; explains what it takes to earn an NFL roster spot; and discusses his son Bobby April III continuing the family tradition. He also reflects on Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame speech and the bond between the Saints and New Orleans. In The Official New Orleans Questionnaire, presented by Bienville Capital Group, Bobby names his favorite po-boy, New Orleans song, Saints Mount Rushmore and what he loves most about the city: the people. MOVE THE CHAINS: ROSS JACKSON Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson breaks down Saints training camp, joint practices and the first preseason game. Ross examines Zach Wilson, Spencer Rattler and Hunter Dekkers; Tyler Shough’s growing leadership; the players helping themselves most; and the position groups trending up or down. The conversation covers Jaden Price, Ty Chandler, Jalen Ford, Michael Heldman, the offensive line, the kicking competition, Brandon Staley’s defense and the Alvin Kamara–Travis Etienne Jr. backfield. Ross closes with a bold 2026 prediction involving Chris Olave and Jordan Tyson. ON THE TABLE, PRESENTED BY BLUE RUNNER FOODS: CHARLIE BATEMAN Charlie Bateman celebrates 50 years of bartending full-time at Pat O’Brien’s. He shares memories of the Hurricane cocktail, flaming fountain, dueling pianos and celebrity visitors. Bateman also recounts helping French Quarter businesses reopen after Hurricane Katrina and shares his hospitality lesson: treat people with kindness and respect, and make them feel welcome. FIVE MINUTES WITH, PRESENTED BY NEW ORLEANS & COMPANY: CYNTHIA HAYES Cynthia Hayes, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, discusses food and housing assistance, foster care, early childhood education, domestic violence legal services and senior care. She also explains support for young adults aging out of foster care, Project SAVE, the PACE program and helping families move from crisis toward stability. To request assistance, volunteer or donate, visit https://www.ccano.org. THIS WEEK IN NEW ORLEANS April Dupre shares where to eat, drink and play, including COOLinary brunch ideas, Saints watch spots, live music and the Louisiana Vintage Festival. POSITIVELY NEW ORLEANS Mark celebrates LSU New Orleans athletics and welcomes former UNO basketball standout and NBA veteran Ervin Johnson home as an assistant coach on Stacy Hollowell’s staff. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Bobby April 16:01 Official New Orleans Questionnaire 26:34 Move The Chains with Ross Jackson 45:59 On The Table with Charlie Bateman 1:00:17 Five Minutes With Cynthia Hayes 1:20:38 This Week in New Orleans 1:23:17 Positively New Orleans ABOUT THE MARK ROMIG SHOW The Mark Romig Show is a weekly television, digital and podcast program produced by LOVE NOLA TV and hosted by longtime New Orleans civic and sports leader Mark Romig. Filmed at the LOVE NOLA TV Studio inside the New Orleans & Company Building, the show celebrates the people, culture, food, sports, businesses, events and organizations shaping New Orleans and the Gulf South. ABOUT MARK ROMIG Mark Romig is one of New Orleans’ most recognizable voices and respected civic leaders. His career spans tourism, hospitality, communications, sports and community service. He is also the public-address announcer for the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome. ABOUT LOVE NOLA TV LOVE NOLA TV tells the positive, authentic story of New Orleans through its hotel television channel, NewOrleans.com, regional broadcast television, YouTube, podcasts and social media. WATCH AND LISTEN YouTube:    / @lovenolatv   Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Buzzsprout. Follow LOVE NOLA TV and The Mark Romig Show on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Blue Runner Foods: On The Table Bienville Capital Group: The Official New Orleans Questionnaire New Orleans & Company: Five Minutes With Visit The Northshore: Community Sponsor PRODUCTION TEAM Host: Mark Romig Executive Producers: Glenn Haggerty and Keith Haggerty Producer/Editor: Kal Landry Please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE. Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheMarkRomigShow #LoveNOLATV #NewOrleans #BobbyApril #RossJackson #PatOBriens