WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The New Orleans Saints' scrimmage drew a VIP crowd on Friday, including NBA legend Jerry West and new New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry.
West, who has a home near the Saints’ training camp site at The Greenbrier resort, watched practice from the sidelined and chatted with coach Sean Payton afterward. The Saints had similar guest appearances from golfers Bubba Watson and Lee Trevino earlier in the week.
Gentry and Pelicans general manager Dell Demps, meanwhile, were reportedly in town for business as well as pleasure. The Pelicans, who are also owned by Saints owner Tom Benson and run by the same executives, are mulling whether to bring part of their own training camp to The Greenbrier in the future, according to multiple reports. NOLA.com reported that the Pelicans are also considering Los Angeles as a possible destination.
Others in attendance during Friday’s scrimmage included some famous NFL fathers -- Mike Golic and Al Toon. Golic's son, Mike Golic Jr., is trying to crack the Saints roster as a backup center and guard. Toon's son, Nick Toon, is in his fourth season with the Saints.