Age is just a plain old number that doesn’t really have any meaning. It’s a statement being made true by NFL legends time and again. Most legends show this by catching big fishes on the high seas or giving it their all to help the new generations get accolades. But that’s not how legendary Saints coach Jim E. Mora rolls. For him, it all starts with himself. How? By sweating it out when most other people his age would rather chill at home playing with the grandkids.

“Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve is the difference in what I’m talking about! The good teams don’t come in and say “Could’ve.” They get it done! All right? It’s that simple!” Remember this iconic speech? After a disappointing loss against the 49ers, these were the words that lit a fire in the Saints roster that led them to their first win streak and playoffs. The same fearsome energy is still clearly visible within Jim Mora as he celebrates an incredible milestone for himself.

Jim E. Mora just turned 90 recently. But he didn’t celebrate it with a big fancy dinner or a small party with the fam. He celebrated it with grit, and a routine that has kept him fit through many years. His son, Jim L. Mora (another legendary coach btw), took to his IG handle to share a workout video of his father. He wrote, “My dad, @jamesemora1 turned 90 yesterday. This is the last set of a 85 minute weight lifting session he does 2 times a week, along with @onepeloton 3 times a week. Don’t ever stop moving, don’t ever let the old man in, it’s a mindset! @saints @nfl” At the rate Jim Sr. is going, you can’t really call him 90-years-old, can you?

While Jim Mora Sr. took the world by shock with his routine, he inspired a ton of people too. Hyping up the coach with “Blessings 🔥🔥🔥,” even ex-Chargers Defensive back, Adarius Pickett took notice and shared his respect. But Pickett wasn’t the only one who shared his love and respect for the coach. The players he’d polished during his decade with the Saints also showed up with their tributes in a big way.

NFL legends gather for legendary coach Jim Mora

Jim Mora was known to be expressive, if nothing else. While coaching the Colts, this was the same guy who once exclaimed, “Playoffs? Don’t talk about—playoffs?! You kidding me? Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game!” But his history with the Saints was marked with considerable success. He transformed a broken team and gave them a chance at glory. So it was only natural that the Saints legends would show up on their coach’s big day. And that’s exactly what they did. The Saints IG page shared a video of former Saints alums wishing Jim Mora on his birthday. Not one, but 5 of them, in fact. 

QB Bobby Hebert started off the video with, “Happy birthday, Coach Mora. – You always wanted me to call you Jim, but you’ll always be my coach. I have to call you coach Mora. – You’re like the best 90-year-old I ever saw. You look about 78, to tell you the truth.” Kicker Morten Andersen came up next. “It’s a big one, and I know you’re going to enjoy it. I hope you have a great time with friends and family. – keep kicking it, man.”

Who’s next? It’s OL Willie Roaf, the guy was incidentally drafted by Mora. “I want to thank you for drafting me in 1993, and I want to thank you for staying on me all the years, or I wouldn’t have little Willie to talk to at night.” Roaf even showed the bust of himself as he said this.

TE Hoby Brenner came up behind Roaf and remembered when he first met Mora way back in time, “I still remember 39 years ago when we first met in Hammond, Louisiana, in your first training camp.” Bringing up the rear was LB Ricky Jackson with, “I appreciate everything you ever did for me. – I appreciate a lot of the things, man, that you made the team out of a winner. – Take care of yourself, man.”

While all the shoutouts were surely big, you know what seems the strangest? Coach Jim Mora looks younger than all of these guys now. As he continues to work hard to maintain his health and stay fit, we can surely look forward to more celebrations like this to come.