While the New Orleans Saints contingent were in Paris for more than the local team’s European League of Football clash with Vienna, veteran linebacker Demario Davis was reminded that the Atlantic Ocean is not too big to be bridged in the name of expanding the game he loves.

Speaking through a series of LinkedIn posts, Davis detailed his four-day trip to the French capital in the company of Saints owner Gayle Benson and other members of the club’s management, as the NFL team strengthened their connection with fans in Europe, as well as extending links beyond football to highlight the long-standing connection between France and state of Louisiana. The Saints are currently the only NFL organisation with marketing rights in France, a status many hope could lead to an International Series game in the country going forward.

“Standing alongside our Saints family, our partners from France and our hosts at the U.S. Embassy, we weren’t just promoting football, we were planting seeds for genuine relationships, cultural understanding, and economic growth that can lift entire communities on both sides of the ocean,” Davis wrote after the first major appointment of the trip. “Sports diplomacy is more than a slogan. It’s the idea that faith, family and opportunity travel together. Young people can dream bigger because they see leaders who care enough to show up. It’s a bridge that connects Louisiana’s spirit with France’s deep roots — a bond you can feel when you walk these streets. Today’s conversations weren’t just about growing the Saints fan base — they were about creating pathways for youth development, education exchanges, small business opportunities and deeper cultural ties that strengthen trust between our cities and countries.”

Over the four days, Davis and the Saints connected with youth coaches, local officials, entrepreneurs and everyday fans, talked about flag football, but also about how sports can be ‘an engine for jobs, hope and cultural exchange’. The weekend was largely filled with football-related activities, with Davis leading a flag football camp for Paris youngsters before attending Sunday’s vital Musketeers vs Vikings clash with ELF playoff seedings on the line.

“We ran our Saints NFL Flag clinic with incredible kids, coaches and families,” Davis noted. “Watching them light up when they learned new drills, pulled a flag for the first time or shared a hug with a teammate — that’s where the dream starts. But what made the day even more special was connecting that same energy to the local pro flag, an absolute path from the playground to the pros that can make today even more special.

“And, for me, seeing so many young girls step onto the same field and know there’s room for them to lead, compete and build confidence through flag football — that’s legacy work. This game shouldn’t just open doors for some — it should open doors for every kid willing to chase a dream.”

Even the ELF put on a show for the Saints party, with the Musketeers going down 40-33 in a thrilling game. Davis was seen mixing with the fans, notably the Musketeers’ ‘Red Company’, during the game and clearly took a lot from the experience of football overseas.

“Standing on the sidelines with the Paris Musketeers, I was reminded why this trip means so much more than stats or scores,” he said. “Pro football in France isn’t just about entertaining a crowd. It’s about giving kids a clear path to dream big — from flag football on local fields to playing in front of thousands someday. It’s about showing every young player that there’s a real future in this game if they’re willing to believe in themselves and do the work.

“But it’s also bigger than that. When a pro team like the Musketeers takes the field, it brings families together. It creates jobs for local vendors and small businesses. It fills hotels and restaurants with visiting fans. It shows cities what’s possible when you build trust and invest in community pride. That’s economic development you can feel on a neighbourhood level — the kind that lasts.

“For me, this whole week has been about building that bridge the right way. From youth flag clinics to standing shoulder to shoulder with pro players, we’re making sure this isn’t just an event but a pipeline. None of this happens without vision [or] lasts without people willing to do the work behind the scenes. I’m grateful for every coach, parent, city official and partner who showed up to prove that, when you care about kids, communities and culture, you can change the story far beyond the scoreboard.”

(all images courtesy Michael Democker/New Orleans Saints)