Two years after announcing his retirement from professional football, Ted Ginn Jr. is back at an NFL minicamp in a new role.
The former Buckeye star and 14-year NFL veteran is helping coach the New Orleans Saints wide receivers, including Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, in what appears to be a volunteer capacity. However, head coach Dennis Allen said Ginn's role could develop into something more moving forward.
"Ted's here with us in this minicamp, we'll see whether or not he comes back in training camp to kind of help us out," Allen said after the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday. "But look, another veteran presence that's played for us that kind of understands how we do things, and I think he can be a benefit for us in the wide receiver room."
Ginn played for the Saints for three seasons from 2017-19, catching 100 passes for 1,417 yards and eight touchdowns in 36 appearances. Ginn retired from the NFL in July 2021 after a career that spanned well over a decade, finishing with 412 receptions, 5,742 yards and 33 receiving scores.
Asked about Ginn after practice, Olave said he was inspired by the Cleveland native and all-purpose Ohio State standout growing up and thinks his tutelage will be beneficial.
"It's huge. I looked up to him when I was younger, watching him on TV," Olave said. "He came way before me, so it was always a standard to be behind him. He set the standard high and I always wanted to have a play style like him. Just to have him be out there and help us and coach us, definitely helping me."
"I looked up to him... He set the standard high."
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 13, 2023
Olave on the influence of Ted Ginn Jr. #Saints | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/Mw3wsLcCWb
