Annie Apple on The Saints, Her Son, and Life in New Orleans

Annie Apple stopped by Off the Bench in hour two, and she started by talking about visiting New Orleans to bring her son Eli some home-cooked meals before the Dallas Cowboys game. “I had my first snowball two nights ago, “so I’m gaining weight, but sweating it off.” Apple helped break down the elite defensive match-up last Sunday as well. “That game was one of the most beautiful defensive games ever,” Apple said. “I was so proud of how our guys stayed the course. There’s unity; you can’t fake that.” Additionally, Apple talked about the negative comments she gets on Twitter regarding her son. “You have to have a strong sense of who you are,” Apple said, “and you can’t go through life trying to get people’s acceptance. Unfortunately, (the talk) comes with the territory.” Eli’s favorite part of a meal is a New Orleans staple, Apple said. “Eli loves rice,” Apple said. “So I make seafood, curry chicken, but whatever I make, it has to be accompanied by rice.” Apple also highlighted the importance of parents’ presence at their children’s games, whether or not they see the field. “You have to show up in the redshirt year,” Apple said. “You have to show up when they’re not playing.” Eli’s college recruitment was full of interesting moments and important decisions, Apple said. “There was no space in the room (during our visit with Notre Dame),” Apple said, “because Brian Kelley’s ego took up the whole room.” Apple also reviewed her lastest initiative to benefit survivors of abusive relationships in the Heal Her Network.