Saints Workout Raffle Heads Into Round 2

After raising $43,000 from $2 ticket sales in just four days last month, the New Orleans Saints are doing it again — holding a raffle contest to allow winning fans to join them at Tulane for a workout.

In the Tulane athletics weight room, quarterback Drew Brees leads Saints fan Dawson Schoening in a workout. Schoening was one of four lucky fans who worked out with the team on May 25 after winning a raffle. (Photo by Sally Asher)

Friday (June 10) at 2 p.m. is the deadline to purchase raffle tickets at the online charity auction site for the chance to work out with quarterback Drew Brees, linebacker Jonathan Vilma and other Saints players on Wednesday, June 15.

The proceeds will benefit various Louisiana charities and the Tulane Athletics Fund.

The winners will eat breakfast with the players, work out on the Westfeldt Practice Facility at Tulane and join the team members for a weight-lifting session.

Four lucky winners joined the Saints on May 25 for the first “Be a Professional Athlete for a Day” event. They were Shane Dunshee, 35, of Luling, La., James Begnaud, 34, of Youngsville, La., Emily Gilly, 29, of Columbia, Md., and Dawson Schoening, 11, of Forney, Texas.

“Today was awesome,” said young Schoening after his practice with the Saints. The highlight of the day came during a passing drill when Schoening hauled in a pass from Brees for a touchdown.

Because of the success of the first fund-raising event, Brees and his teammates decided to schedule a second raffle. Brees said, “Football is more than just a game in this city, and I believe it's important to let our fans know we are still thinking about them and want them to be a part of what we are doing.”

Saints players have been working out regularly on the Tulane uptown campus while the NFL lockout continues.