Saints Quarterback Drew Brees announced on Instagram today that he and his wife are pledging five million dollars to various causes to help Louisiana residents impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Brees says the donations will help pay for 10-thousand meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes. Brees ended his message by saying let’s all do your part, maintain hope and get through this together.

Brees is not the only professional athlete in Louisiana who has donated money to help out those who have lost paychecks as a result of the economic shutdown. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson volunteered to cover a month’s pay lost by Smoothie King Center workers. In a podcast that can be heard at pelicans-dot-com, Pels owner Gayle Benson, says it’s a terrific gesture…
cut 14 (09) “…young man”

Today was supposed to be opening day for Major League Baseball. Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt he’s still optimistic that the season will begin in mid-May, but they will not have a 162-game schedule. You might see some seven-inning doubleheaders.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is one of several GMS who would like to see the NFL draft pushed back, so the teams can gather more info on the players. But the league still plans on holding the draft a month from now.

Saints coach Sean Payton told WWL Radio last night that’s he’s been cleared by doctors after testing positive for COVID-19. Payton says over a week ago he felt flu-like symptoms and developed a low-grade fever. He’s now feeling better but remains quarantined.

Safety Vonn Bell is moving on from the Saints as he reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Last year, Bell led the NFL in fumble recoveries with five, even though he missed the last three regular-season games with a knee injury. His departure seemed inevitable after the team signed Malcolm Jenkins.